Villagers want to turn BHP ex-coal mine into tourism spot

Villagers of Petangis, Pasir regency, South Kalimantan asked the local authorities to allow them to turn the coal mine owned by BHP-Kendilo Coal Indonesia (KCI) into a tourism spot after the company stops operation in February 2002.

The villagers expressed the request during a meeting with Pasir's regent Yusriansyah Syarkawi on Friday, Kaltim Post reported.

During the meeting, the villagers asked the regent to transfer all the facilities owned by the company to them after the closure of the mine.

The villagers asked the regent's recommendation for BHP-KCI to not reclaim some of the mining pits and leave them full with water so that the area could be turned into an attractive spot for fishing, trekking, camping, canoeing and fish farming.

"We also ask the regent (to recommend BHP-KCI) not dismantle some of its office so that the facilities can be used to support tourism activities in the area after the post-mining period, which will bring impact on the welfare of the locals," the villagers said.

The villagers also called on BHP-KCI not to close or reclaim the road linking its mining site with the port by Apar River because the locals will use it to support their economic activities.

The villagers were accompanied by some of BHP-KCI's staffers, local leaders during the meeting.

BHP-KCI's spokesman Subroto, who is among the company's staffers accompanying the villagers during the meeting with the regent, explained that the villagers had met with BHP-KCI's management on Sept. 5 to voice their requests.

Subroto said the company fully supported the villagers' plan but they had to follow proper procedures in realizing the plan.

The regent said he fully supported the villagers' plan, but he called on BHP-KCI to implement its reclamation program to protect the area's environment.

The regent promised to visit the mining site to check out the locations, which the villagers did not want BHP-KCI reclaim. (*)