Sea sand mining firms face bankruptcy

Sea sand mining firms face bankruptcy

BATAM, Riau: The Association of Sea Sand Mining Companies in
Riau have rejected the central government's policy to temporarily
halt sand exports to neighboring Singapore, saying it could lead
to bankruptcy.

It claimed the ban on the exports could also bring losses to
local people.

Abdullah Gosse and Bachtiar Mustafa, both caretakers of the
association, urged the government to review the policy issued on
Jan. 23.

Gosse said around 140 mining companies had stopped operations
and incurred billions of rupiah in losses since the exports were
banned.

"Mining companies had each spent at least Rp 1.5 billion
(US$174,000), but all of them have stopped operations," he said.

However, environmentalists have said exports of sea sand has
continued to Singapore despite the temporary ban.-- Antara