Regent revokes geothermal permit of SMGP
Friday, December 12 2014 - 04:15 AM WIB
Regent of Mandailing Natal in North Sumatra Province, Dahlan H. Nasution revoked late on Tuesday the IUP mining permit of geothermal project run by PT Sorik Merapi Geothermal Power (SMGP) following roads blockade by over two thousand local villagers from five districts near Mt Sorik Merapi, local reports said Friday.
The villagers have been protesting the geothermal project for years on fears it would have negative environmental impact and affect their livelihood. The protest culminated in the blockade Tuesday of roads in the area.
The villagers lifted the blockade after the regent revoked the mining permit of SMGP, the report said.
The SMGP is led by Australia-listed energy firm Origin Energy along with Indian energy giant Tata Power Company Ltd. and Indonesian firm PT Supraco Indonesia. The Sorik Marapi geothermal concession was awarded in September 2010. (*)