TEMPO Interactive, PALU:Central Sulawesi Governor H.B. Paliudju has given an ultimatum to PT International Nickel Corporation (Inco) to conduct mining activities in Morowali regency, especially in the Bahodopi and Kolonodale blocks. If until March 1 there are no signs of activities, the government will not be responsible for the people’s reactions towards the nickel mining company.
Paliudju admitted that the warning was an agreement between the provincial government and Morowali regency. “Two nights ago, we met with PT Inco. The regent, the mining office chief, the second assistant and some of PT Inco’s directors were present. So, they are aware of the warning,” Paliudju said yesterday.
According to Paliudju, PT Inco was given two options; continue the activities of the production plan with their own capability or collaborate with another company. His office sent a letter to the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister to review the field condition and also asked the minister to cut down the concession area by 25 percent from the total area controlled by the company. Paliudju said that this was in line with the Law No. 4/2009.
PT International Nickel Corporation’s (Inco) spokesperson, Janus Siahaan, said that until today, the mining company maintained its commitment to carrying out mining activities in the work area that had been agreed upon, including the areas in Central Sulawesi.
“We still want to contribute in the long term to the local people and government,” Janus said.
According to Janus, Inco stated to the government that in conducting mining activities, his office was not merely thinking about the profit. “We also need to consider the economic and technological aspects,” he said.
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