Illegal coal mining continues in Ombilin
Tuesday, February 22 2000 - 04:31 AM WIB
Illegal coal mining activities continue in the Ombilin unit of the state-owned coal mining company PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam amid a growing criticism over the decline in the company's contribution to the local administration.
Local legislators blamed the company's management on the increase in the illegal mining activities in the Ombilin mining site, which is located in Sawah Lunto regency, West Sumatera.
They said that the illegal digging started only after PT Tambang Bukit Asam, which previously only operated the Bukit Asam coal mining in South Sumatera, took over the management of the Ombilin mining site several years ago as part of the government's coal mining consolidation program.
"PT Tambang Bukit Asam should be responsible on the rampant illegal mining activities," Syamsu Rahim, the chairman of the local legislative council said.
He said that the contribution of the Ombilin mining operation to the local administration both in the form of financial taxes and infrastructure development has continued to decline since the change in the management. (*)