Banjarbaru to turn ex-diamond mine a reservoir, prevent flooding

Banjarbaru, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Mayor of Banjarbaru HM Aditya Mufti Ariffin said the city government is preparing a former diamond mine pit of PT Galuh Cempaka to be used as water storage (embung) to prevent flooding in the city. 

"We have observed the PT Galuh Cempaka's former mine pit and received a good response from the company to turn it into a reservoir in Cempaka Sub-district," he said.

Previously, he with related agencies had discussed disaster mitigation by utilizing the ex-diamond mine and followed up with communication with PT Galuh Cempaka as the owner. 

Aditya said the city government will immediately conduct an in-depth study regarding the location of ex-minings, which are now become lakes, to be used as reservoir or retention basin. 

"The plan is canals to be built connecting among islands of the ex-mining, thus they will become large enough reservoir capable of accommodating large amount of rainwater," he said. 

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The lakes that have the potential to be used as reservoirs are Lake Galuh and Lake Caramin which in the future will be used not only as reservoirs but also as tourist areas to attract tourists. 

Mining Engineering Director of PT Galuh Cempaka Amin Sitepu said he will convey the result of the field survey and the desire of the Banjarbaru City Government to turn the former mine into a reservoir. 

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