South Kalimantan vows to take strong action against illegal miners

South Kalimantan Governor Sjachriel vowed to take strong action against illegal mining activity in the province, but added that illegal miners, which could meet certain qualifications, would be supervised by the administration and given a license.

Sjachriel said that such a measure was in accordance with the Presidential Instruction No. 3/2000 issued recently to curb rampant illegal mining in the province.

"Illegal miners must also be given opportunities," he said. "But those who could not meet the qualifications, we'll have to stop their operation or we'll take strong legal action against them." (*)