PT Balangan Coal license threatened to be revoked

Balangan, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - Regent Balangan H Ansharuddin threatened to withhold license of PT Balangan Coal, a subsidiary of PT Adaro Energy, if it not seriously manage waste and the environment around it operational area.

Regent revealed, according the findings of the Environment and Sanitation Agency (BLHK) in Tawahan village, Sub-district of Juai, the company's operational area, river water for residents was contaminated.

"The laboratory tests by BLHK showed pollution and environmental degradation, beside the content of waste water was high. One of which was Total Suspended Solid (TSS) in the water of the daily needs for the citizens," he said.

According to H Ansharuddin, PT Balangan Coal permit is only temporary, because the local government has not issued an official permit for its operation.

"If these problems are not resolved and addressed, the official operating license would be held, we might even revoke it," he said.

Head of BLHK Karim Suadi said, of examination in the mines houling street and in the village river, the agency found impropriety on the contours of the road. The road is still a hardening soil without drainage to prevent mud to enter the river.

Furthermore sludge trap pond was not well managed, so it narrowing and silting of river streams belonging to residents.

Even houling road intersecting or cross country road is the main road to the economy of local residents, so it's quite dangerous.

In response to these findings, HRG External Manager PT Balangan Coal Tony Sobran said, the company has made its utmost efforts related to the environmental damage caused by mining activities.

"We have done handling, even 80 percent, and we promise to continue to optimally handle environment management," he explained.

PT Balangan Coal is operating since 2014, and inside it there are three local companies, namely PT CSM, PT Laskar Semesta Alam, and PT Paramitha.