Minahasa to ban illegal gold-mining

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