Aussie firms eye Aceh's gold

Aussie firms eye Aceh's gold

JAKARTA (JP): Two Australian firms will start exploring gold
deposits at Gunung Miwah in the district of Geumpang, Aceh
province.

Chief of the Aceh office of the Ministry of Mines and Energy
Soleh Wirasuganda told newsmen in Banda Aceh yesterday that the
exploration works will begin within the next two months.

He said that the companies, PT High Land Gold and PT Beutah
Ltd., have been licensed to manage concessions of 348,836
hectares in Pidie area, about 130 kilometers from Banda Aceh.

According to Soleh, the companies which will employ 2,000
workers, are constructing a 20-kilometer access road to the
concession area.(icn)