Indonesian mining companies asked to prioritize conservation

Antara 4 May 10;

Ambon (ANTARA News) - Maluku deputy governor Said Assagaff had asked the mining companies operating in the province to prioritize environmental conservation during explorations and exploitations of minerals.

"Conservation is a precondition for companies building the mining and energy sector prioritizing integration, conservation, and biodiversity," he said when opening a Maluku mining and energy exhibition in Ambon on Monday.

He also said that the mining and energy sector is a leading resource of Maluku province, as its mineral resources were very big and had yet to be adequately exploited and processed for the welfare of the local population.

According to official data, the coal mines in Maluku are located in Seram island, covering Tehoru, Elpaputi, Banggoi and Wahai, and the limestone deposits are found in South Buru and West Seram, natural oil in 10 sediments in East Seram, and the renewable hydro and geothermal energy resources are adequate for building hydropower plants (PLTAs) in Seram island to generate 217.4 megawatts (MW).

He said business prospects for national or regional private companies recommendations are for C-category minerals for industries and for oil, gas and coal are expected to be used under cooperation with foreign investors to serve the welfare of the local population.

In addition, the Maluku provincial administration is also seriously considering the environmental impact analysis (AMDAL) and the social obligations of investors to the people living near the location of explorations, he said.

He also said that the Mining and Energy Expo 2010 will demonstrate the potentials of the natural resources in the thousand islands.

"The expo will also inform the people of the natural resoources of Maluku, and provides a means for the selection of potential foreign and domestic investors. The expo will also invite investors to inspect and consider the mining and energy investment potentials in Maluku," he said.

The Maluku Ming and Energy Expo 2010 also held on the occasion of Sail Banda 2010 with a number of mining companies taking part like PT Batu Tua Kharisma Permai/PT Batu Tua Tembaga Raya, PT Maluku Global Masindo, PT Manusela Prima Mining, PT Belirang Kalisari, PT Gemala Borneo Utama, PT Masindo Putera Energy and PT Satria Fajar Intim. (*)