No illegal coal miners arrested

No illegal coal miners arrested

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): None of the coal miners
recently found to be operating illegally in South Kalimantan have
been arrested, but police have seized 15 excavators in Tanah Laut
regency, a police officer has said.

South Kalimantan Police spokesman Comr. Taufik Soegiono denied
that they were too slow in carrying out an investigation into the
case.

South Kalimantan Governor Sjachriel Darham has suggested
several times that police interrogate a well-connected
businessman in Tanah Laut who owns and operates the 15
excavators, which have exploited coal deposits in the regency.

Illegal coal mining in various parts of South Kalimantan has
resulted in deforestation, as unlicensed miners have not refilled
holes or replanted trees in areas where the coal deposits have
been depleted.

Taufik told The Jakarta Post here on Tuesday that the police
had launched an investigation into illegal coal mining cases in
Tanah Laut and Kotabaru regencies, where many unlicensed coal
miners operate illegally. (32)