S. Kalimantan pursues cultural approach to handle illegal mining

The South Kalimantan provincial administration has vowed to make it in order the rampant illegal mining activities in the province, but it will be pursued carefully as such illegal activities involve thousands of people who have relied their lives from illegal mining, according to spokesman Hadi Susilo.

"We cannot just close down illegal mining locations because such action could create unwanted impacts," Hadi said in the provincial capital of Banjarmasin on Tuesday (Feb. 20), responding to reports that the administration was inaction against illegal miners.

As reported, illegal mining activities in South Kalimantan have become uncontrolled and encroached into legal mining concessions belonging to both local and foreign companies. Their activities have been reported to the police and related authorities, but such illegal activities do not die down.

"So, it's not true that local administrations are not perceptive about illegal mining activities in our areas," Hadi said.

He said the provincial administration would pursue cultural approach to handle illegal miners, especially those who backed and controlled illegal mining activities to avoid negative excesses.

"We told them that they better process licenses to make their activities legal," he said.

In addition, the administration also told those illegal miners to reclaim and reforest their mined areas to reduce further environmental destruction.

Hadi also denied local media reports that Kota Baru regent Sjachrani Mataya had defied orders from South Kalimantan governor Sjachriel Darham to handle illegal miners in Kota Baru area.

"Regent Sjachrani just met with the governor to clarify the matter," he said, adding that Sjachrani reported to the governor that the regent had coordinated with the local police and prosecutors' office to handle and reduce illegal mining activities. (*)