Mining road blockade brings problem to the locals

A total of 42 coal mining companies encounter problems in Kalimantan. Road closures in three
locations by the Provincial Government of South Kalimantan in Tapin and Barito Kuala render
them unable to distribute the coal product. Such events affect the supply of coal for industry and
power plants in Java and Bali region. The coal companies are protesting this because the impact
of unilaterally closing road make significant loss to them and also the communities. The
blockade of three streets for mining transportation vehicle are done by a team from the
Provincial Government of South Kalimantan, on Friday (26/1).

The reason for them to do this are because of those mine roads cross the public road. The mine
owners of PT Indomarta Multi Mining also give statement that the mine road blockade were
made unilaterally without any notice to them. The three roads that are closed are owned by PT
Talenta, PT Hasnur, and PT Mitra Mandiri Binuang. The number of mining companies that are
using that road reached 42 companies.

Every day about 300 thousand tons of coal are transported past that road to get to the dedicated
port on the sungai putting river. Approximately about 80% of the coal that transported through
that road are supplying coal for Java and Bali power plant. The company’s lost is estimated at
500 billion rupiahs per day. Another collateral damage are 15 thousand mine workers, transport
workers and port workers cannot earn a living.
The blocked road are actually a district road and have been built since 1990’s, and the roads goes
through thick forest. The regulation of south Kalimantan stated that mining vehicle cannot pass
the national public road.