Bengkulu to stop illegal mining

BENGKULU, Bengkulu: The provincial administration said on Saturday it would stop illegal gold mining in protected forests, including in Kerinci Seblat National Park, next year in order to prevent further environmental damage.

"We are currently listing all miners in protected forests," said Husnaini Nurdin, the head of general mining at the Bengkulu mines and energy office.

"We aim to eliminate all illegal mining in protected forests by 2004," he added.

Nurdin acknowledged that illegal mining continued unchecked in the national park, located in Rejang Rebong regency.

The unauthorized activities involve at least 172 families in Tambang Sawah village and 1,200 people in Tambang Talang Sawah village, he said. He could not give an exact figure for illegal miners in Katenong village.

Illegal mining also occurs in other protected forests in North Bengkulu regency. Thousands of local residents depend on mining for a livelihood.

He said his administration was considering relocating the residents or giving them start-up capital for new businesses after illegal mining was stopped. --Antara