SAWAHLUNTO COAL MINING NOT AIMED AT COLLECTING REGIONAL INCOME

Sawahlunto, W Sumatra, June 19 (ANTARA) - Sawahlunto Mayor Amran Nur said the concession given to investors for coal mining operations in the city was not aimed at seeking maximum earnings for the local administration.

"We are not seeking an income for the local administration from the coal mining operations in the city, but merely to provide employment to the local population," Amran said Thursday.

He said the income from the coal mining operation reached only Rp 2 billion per year.

He said the traditional coal mining operations absorbed 1,000 people with an income just enough to lead a reasonably normal lifer.

In addition, hundreds of other people were also doing work related to the coal mining operations, such as hundreds of truck drivers and their assistants, as well as heavy equipment operators and technicians.

In the meantime, dozens of people living near the coal mine opened small business enterprises like food stalls he added.

He said there are now 13 coal mining concessions in Sawahlunto with 1,000 workers.

But this week the 13 coal mine concessions had been closed for restructing purposes, and an examination of the methane content of the underground tunnels.
The closure was effective as of Tuesday (June 16) until next week following the coal mine explosion in Ngalau Cigak, Sawahlunto, Tuesday, killing 31 miners and 14 others sustaining injuries.