Sand mining criticized by expert

Sand mining criticized by expert

PEKANBARU, Riau: The impact of sand mining on the environment in Riau, not territorial considerations, should serve as the basis for the suspension of all sand mining activities in the province, a university expert said here on Wednesday.

Tengku Amriful Amri, an environmental expert at the University of Riau, told Antara that the waters of Riau would continue to suffer considerable damage unless the halt of mining operations was also based on environment concerns.

He said the government had decided to suspend the mining, transport and sale of sand in Riau because the activities had expanded the territory of Singapore by six kilometers.

Tengku, however, admitted that Singapore's coastal expansion would also lead to future conflict as Riau's territorial waters were increasingly being encroached upon. --Antara