S. Kalimantan police close down PT Berkat Banua Inti?s mining site

South Kalimantan police have closed down again a mining site owned by PT Berkat Banua Inti (PTBBI) in Batulicin District, Tanah Bumbu Regency because it is located inside the production forest designated land, Media Indonesia reported Tuesday.

Head of Crime Division of the South Kalimantan police office Andi Kirnanda said Monday that besides closing down the mining site, the combat team also seized two heavy equipment on Sunday.

?We have stopped the mining activities and a police line has been put in place in the mining site,? he said.

Based on the mining contract document that the police have seized, it is found the mining site is owned by PTBBI but is operated PT Titan Bumi Artha, acccording to Andi.

Previously, another mining site owned by PTBBI in Batulicin was also closed down by the authority because the mining site was located on a land owned by PT Kodeco that holds reforestation right.

Meanwhile, PT BBI?s boss Donnie Leimena is currently being detained in South Kalimantan police's detention house in Banjarmasin.

The police have pledged to combat illegal mining cases and will not hesitate to detain suspects.

Last year Malaysian manufacturer V.S. Industry Berhad (VSI) through PT VS Mining Resources (PTVS Mining), a foreign capital investment company, who planned to acquire 100 percent equity interest in PT Berkat Banua Inti (PTBBI)

According to VSI, PTBBI have obtained exploitation permit for 107.56 hectares with a concession period of 5 years and found to have a measured deposit of 3,982,272 tons of coal with gross calorific value ranging from 5,160-6,189 kcal/kg. Meanwhile, PTBBI also operates a concession area of 3,536.00 hectares with exploration permit. (*)