Japan offers technical assistance

Japan offers technical assistance

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: The Japanese government has expressed
an interest in conducting a study on pollution caused by coal
mining along the Mahakam River. The research program is aimed at
seeking ways to mitigate the impact of the pollution, a
government official said on Thursday. "The study will also
investigate the possibility of coal waste being converted into a
source of alternative energy," said Lobo Balia, a senior official
with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

The study proposal has been made to the Indonesian government
and, if approved, the Japanese government will provide a loan to
the Indonesian government in fund the program. The study will be
conducted by Japanese experts. East Kalimantan is rich in coal
resources and currently hosts several coal mining firms. -- JP