Miners clash with employees

PADANG, West Sumatra: Around 1,500 miners were involved in a clash with 200 employees of a coal mining firm, PT Bukit Asam Unit Pertambangan Ombilin, Sawahlunto on Thursday.

At least 20 employees sustained injuries while two motorcycles and one bicycle was set alight by crowds at the company's security post. The riot which started around 10 a.m. was believed to have been fueled by the delayed settlement of problems between the company and traditional miners.

A few months ago the company management had claimed that Sawahlunto was threatened by methane gas caused by the residents' mining activities. However residents suspected the firm was trying to keep them away from mining in the area.

On Thursday residents suddenly attacked PT Bukit Asam employees with stones. Employees ran in panic and a number of them staged a protest at the Sawhlunto's mayor office bringing along sharp weapons.

Police and military officials then coaxed the two parties to discuss the problem. Residents demanded that the firm raise the price of coal bought from them at Rp 40,000 per ton.

Mayor Subari Sukardi said he suspected outside traders of instigating the riots because the company policy no longer enabled them to buy coal from residents. "As far as I know there are 1,000 adults in the area, but 1,500 rioted," Subari said, questioning where the remainder came from.

In September the regency formed a fact-finding team to check out reports of methane leakage from illegal mines. The management of PT Bukit Asam had reported methane emissions above 10 percent, a critical level, and hundreds were evacuated in fear of an explosion. (28)