S. Sumatra shuts down 15 jetties

The South Sumatra administration shut down Friday 15 jetties in the province which do not have permit from the Ministry of Transportation, in a move to help curb illegal coal mining and shipment, Kompas reported on Saturday.

The paper quoted head of the province?s mining and energy office Robert Heri as saying that 10 of the jetties were only temporarily being suspended pending the completion of the required permit with the Ministry of Transportation.

Illegal ports have been seen as the exit gate of coal produced by illegal miners. Out of dozens of jetties operating in South Sumatra, only three have the necessary permit.

Director General of Mineral and Coal R. Sukhyar said earlier this week that the government plans to set up 14 official coal seaports in the country starting next year as part of efforts to control export and prevent illegal shipment. (*)