Minahasa to ban illegal gold-mining

MANADO, North Sulawesi: North Sulawesi Vice Governor Freddy Sualang disclosed on Monday that the provincial administration would crack down on illegal gold-mining in the province as it was causing environmental damage.

"Illegal gold-mining which does not dispose of its tailings safely will be prohibited from operating because the mercury waste from mining activities is harmful to the environment," he said.

He said only mining companies that had secured permission from the central government would be allowed to continue operating because besides having legal documents, they contribute both to the local economy and the local administration.

He said there were about 2,000 mining companies in the province but only a few had received official permission from the government. -- Antara