Transfer of Indo Muro Kencana's mining concession to villagers slow

Gold mining company PT Indo Muro Kencana, a subsidiary of Australian mining firm Aurora Gold, had yet to finalize talks with the North Barito regency in Central Kalimantan and the province's mining office on the planned transfer of some parts of the company's mining concession to the locals.

North Barito's regent Badaruddin said the meeting between the company and the regency and the mining office had yet to reach agreements on the timeframe for the transfer of some parts of the gold mine to the locals.

He also said the fact that some locals objected to the plan had also slowed down the process of transferring the gold mine.

Indo Muro had agreed to release 15.632 hectares of its gold mining contract area to the locals as part of the measures to solve illegal mining problems in the area.

Director general of mining at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources issued a decree in April to approve the plan.

Badaruddin said only residents of the Tanah Siang, Permata Intan and Murung districts would be allowed to conduct mining activities on the land to be released by the gold company. (*)