NTT governor: Fathi exploration area outside protected forest

East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) governor Frans Lebu Raya said that based on the results of verification undertaken by a verification team, the exploration mining permit (IUP Explorasi) given to PT Fathi Resources is not located inside a protected forest in East Sumba Regency.

?We don?t know yet whether the exploration mining permit will be upgraded to exploitation permit because we have to know the gold reserves in the area. It is being explored,? said Frans.

Previously, based on recommendation of East Sumba Regency Head, the NTT Governor Frans Lebu Raya granted exploration IUP to gold miner PT Fathi Resources in Wanggameti forest, Matawai Lapawu sub-district in East Sumba Regency.

Based on NTT Governor stipulation No. 334/Kep/2007, the company obtained a gold mining concession permit in Wanggameti forest, covering an area of 99,970 hectares.

Thousands of local people from six villages in Matawai Lapawu, from August 4 to August 10, staged protest against the mining activity in the area, arguing the mining site is located inside the protected forest.

After receiving protest from quarters of local community, the governor then sent a verification team to find out whether the permit also covers protected forest.

The verification team members came from central, provincial, regency governments as well as no-government organizations (NGO). (giok)