Irianese rush to river for gold

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Hundreds of residents here have trooped off to the Agas River in search of gold, after reports filed in last week that a large gold deposit was discovered in the river.

The commander of the South Jayapura Military Command, Capt. Ketut Sudana, said he observed increased activity at the Agas River near Gurabesi village, South Jayapura subdistrict, over the weekend.

"They plan to sell gold they find for Rp 80,000 (US$9.4) per gram," Sudana said yesterday.

He said the military and the police began a temporary ban on gold prospecting activities at the river yesterday since the status of the gold mining site had yet to be made clear.

"Otherwise, their activities could damage the environment," he said as quoted by Antara.

The prospectors have come to the site carrying large shovels and metal picks to dig up land along the river.