S. Sumatra urged to issue bylaw to stop environmental destruction

South Sumatra has been urged to issue a bylaw on mining to slow any further damage to the environment caused by arbitrary mining activities across the region, The Jakarta Post reported Friday.

Speaking in Palembang over the weekend, deputy chairman of Commission IV of the provincial legislature, Ahmad Yani, said the 2009 Mineral and Coal Mining Law and a 2010 government regulation on mining activities made it possible for any individual or group to engage in mining activities with an easily obtainable license from the head of the local administration.

?It?s a very risky practice at the moment because people have very little knowledge about environmentally friendly mining,? Ahmad Yani said.

He said that although miners may have completed an environment impact analysis document, questions remained over their commitment to apply environmentally friendly mining practices.

He also doubted whether funds had been allocated by small independent miners to restore the environment, as is required by law from larger companies.

?Unless serious attention is given to the matter, I?m afraid irreversible damage to the environment is just a matter of time,? Yani said.

He warned against the existing potentially double-edged sword of mining regulations, which promises to improve local economies but in the same breath poses a serious and lasting threat to the environment.

Head of South Sumatra Mining Agency Robert Hen said his office had sent letters of warning to illegally operating mining companies telling them to halt all activities.

?The problem is we are now in a process of transition, whereby we do not have the authority to take legal action against these miners. It?s under the Transportation Agency?s jurisdiction,? Heri said.

Meanwhile Deputy Speaker of the provincial legislature Ahmad Djauhari questioned the provincial Transportation Agency for letting unlicensed vehicles transport coal in the region. He said doing so was unfair on the local community, as the road had been built for the use of the everyone and not just for a particular section of society.

?The Transportation Agency must do something about it. Otherwise, the activities will damage the road, public access and thus create disharmony. This is especially important as we are in the Ramadan fasting month and are approaching Idul Fitri,? Djauhari said. (*)