S. Kalimantan coal miners say not affected by flooding

South Kalimantan major coal miners said on Friday their operations were largely unaffected by flood that hit the province.

Officials of Adaro Indonesia, Arutmin Indonesia, and Jorong Barutama Greston contacted by petromindo. Com said that thus far, mining operations were relatively unaffected by the flood. "Mining and hauling operations are still ongoing despite slow down in activities due to rain," one official said.

Floods triggered by heavy rains in the province in the past few days had forced at least at least 40,000 people to flee their homes and killed at least two people. Downpours to the north of South Kalimantan had swollen the rivers and flooded most of the district, with some areas under more than two meters of water.

A government official contracted by Petromindo.Com said that the flood would heavily affected South Kalimantan small scale and illegal miners that did not have adequate planning to deal with heavy rainfall. He said that the flooding had already caused several small-scale miners to stop operations.

Heavy rain also hit part of East Kalimantan province with the worst hit area thus far is in West Kutai regency, where a number of coal mining companies are also operating. (godang)