15 firms explore gold in Barito

JAKARTA (JP): Only one of the 15 gold contractors licensed to operate in North Barito regency, Central Kalimantan, has started mining the precious metal, regent Badaruddin said on Saturday.

PT Indo Moro Kencana, an Australian joint venture company, has been producing in its concessions in Tanah Siang, Permata Indah, and Murung districts since 1994, Badaruddin was quoted by Antara as saying.

Five other companies are still prospecting: PT Danumbukit Mineral in a 1.4 million hectare area in Tanah Siang; PT Anjarsamba Kencana in a 8,586 hectare area in Sumber Barito subdistrict; PT Kalimantan Surya Kencana in a 121,900 hectare area in Gunung Purei; PT Pasifik Masao Mineral in a 106,848 hectare area Sumber Barito; and PT Pasifik Jangkang Mineral in a 248,300 hectare area in Sumber Barito.

The other nine contractors have stopped their activities.

They are PT Aneka Tambang, PT Barito Intan Mas, PT Irlenindo Jaya Sentosa, PT Golden Arrow Resource, PT East Kalimantan Mineral and Indonesia Mining Mineral, PT Romo Humolta, PT Pricadana Sapta Lestari, PT Gema Supra, and PT Cilandak Commercial Estate. (02)