S. Kalimantan to review mining concessions

The South Kalimantan Administration will soon evaluate about 155 mining concessions in the province following allegations that some concession holders do not conduct activities for years.

According to the head of the South Kalimantan Investment Coordinating Board (BKPMD), Drs. H. Armain Janit MBA MM, a number of mining concessions have been left unattended for years, and this caused the local administrations to lose from potential incomes from mining activities.

Armain said that the unattended concessions could be given to new investors, and thus give incomes to local administrations.

"This March, the evaluation on those concessions will start. This evaluation has been mandated by Governor HM Sjachriel Darham to the BKPMD," Armain said.

He noted that not only idle concessions that would be reviewed, but all concessions rights, including those under general study, or under exploration and exploitation stage.

Idle concessions would be taken over. Not only that, concession holders that had conducted mining exploitation of their concessions, but did not abide by environmental rules, would also be penalized.

The re-mapping of mining concessions was necessary following the implementation of the regional autonomy law, Armain said. He added that the licensing of mining activities would be managed together between the regency and provincial administrations. (*)