Donggala eyes gold, activists object

DONGGALA, Central Sulawesi: A senior official has said the Donggala administration will soon cooperate with several universities in Central Sulawesi to find out whether gold deposits exist in Malei subdistrict.

Donggala mining and energy office head Tawakkal Muhammadong said on Tuesday, a survey would be conducted as he had obtained preliminary evidence recently that traces of gold had been discovered in soil, in some parts of the subdistrict.

However, the planned survey soon drew protests from environmental activists in the province. Nasution Camang, director of the White and Red Foundation, said he would organize mass protests if the administration proceeded with its plan to commence gold mining in the subdistrict. -- JP