Local residents oppose Antam?s mining plan

Residents of Kuwus district in West Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara will oppose the presence of state owned mining company PT Antam if the company continues to carry out mining activities in their areas, Kontan reported.

Ferri Adu, the head of the anti-mining movement in the province, said that the local people opposed Antam?s mining plan because the company would carry out its exploration without any ?socialization? program with the residents.

He said that the company should first meet the local people before conducting its mining activities. According to him, the company?s exploration plan also violates the regulation, because the mining permit issued by former regent Wilfridus Fideus Pranda in 2003 to Antam did not follow the proper procedure.

?For this reason, regent Agustinus Ch. Dula and the resident agree not to extend the company?s mining permit,? Ferri said.

Antam secured a mining right on area of about 12.000 hectares in Waning village, Kuwus district, West Manggarai in 2003. In March 2011, Antam applies for an extension of its mining permit.

Commenting on the local residents? resentment, Antam?s corporate secretary Tedy Badrujaman said that the company had received a letter from the local people stating their opposition on Antam?s mining plan.

He said that Antam would soon carry out a socialization program with the local people in order to avoid misunderstanding.(*)