West Sumatra Governor bans coal illegal mining

West Sumatra Governor Zainal Bakar said on Tuesday that he had ordered the Sawahlunto Major and Sawahlunto Regent to stop illegal coal mining activities in the area.

Zainal was quoted as saying by the Republika daily that the illegal mining must be stopped because of a landslide threat.

He added that the area currently be encroached belonged to the state-owned coal mining firm PT Bukit Asam - Ombilin Production Unit.

Republika said that the banning of illegal mining is threatening some 2,500 people out of job. Many of the people started illegal mining following the economic crisis that started in the middle of 1997.

Zainal said that the administration was seeking ways together with PT Bukit Asam and a private coal mining firm PT AIC to provide the illegal miners with a safer mining site. (*)