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