Road ban for mining trucks in South Sumatra lifted

By Bambang Atmaja

Industry Minister MS Hidayat said that trucks carrying coal are now allowed to pass public roads in South Sumatra after his mediation.

"I have been informed that trucks are now allowed to pass (through the public roads)," he told Petromindo.com at the State Palace.

Previously the governor of South Sumatra Alex Nurdin banned coal carrying trucks from using the public roads, requiring the miners to build their own road.

The policy to ban the use of public road forced scores of mining firms to stop operation, causing about Rp20 billion financial loss per day.

The ban was first applied on January 1.

Minister Hidayat said that he expected all the disputes between the local policy makers and those at mining sector to be completely addressed soon.

South Sumatra is one of the centers of coal production in Indonesia.

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora