Sorikmas mining company can operate in North Sumatra

PT Sorikmas Mining, a private mining company owned by Aberfoyle Australia, can continue its operations at Mandailing Natal in North Sumatra province despite protest from the local authorities, the Bisnis Indonesia newspaper reported on Wednesday quoting a central government official.

This was disclosed by director-general of mineral resources and geology Simon Felix Sembiring who said that the project, which has entered into the exploration phase must continue because the regulations are already there for it to continue.

“Please give that company (PT Sorikmas) a chance to carry out its activities," he said.

The local authorities have protested the gold mining operation in the Batang Gadis National Park in Mandailing Natal because it is threatening the survival of more than 500 species of rare plants and animals.

But Simon explained that prior to a decision which turns the 108,000-hectare Batang Gadis forest into a national park by the forestry ministry, the government had already issued a contract for the company to carry out mining activities there.

Further, the House of Representatives had also approved the government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) No. 1/2004 regarding allowing mining activities in the protected forests.

“The (Mandailing Natal) regent has no rights to evict the people of the mining company. Please follow the law. Don’t take the law into your hands,” Simon said. (*)