Thousands protest Jambi coal mine closure

Thousands of villagers and workers staged a demo at Jambi Province House of representatives on Thursday, protesting operations closure of coal miner PT.Nusantara Thai Coal (NTC) by Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

The villagers and workers said the closure had made them lost their source of income.

Bambang Gatoto Ariyono, Director of Coal and Mineral Enterprises at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources told Petromindo.Com on Friday that the Ministry decided temporarily close the mine?s operations as the company did not adhere to good and safe mining method.

?The closure will be in effect until after the miner proves to be able to improve its mining method,? he said.

According to Petromindo.Com data, NTC holds a 30-year concession over the mine under a Coal Contract of Work with the Indonesian Government. The Muara Bungo Concession, which covers an area of 28.6 km2, has JORC Code compliant proved ore reserves of 22.9 million tons and probable ore reserves of 1.1 million tons, as well as measured resources of 31.7 million tons and indicated resources of 5.2 million tons. (godang)