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