Government Should Legalize Gold Mining

Ambon (Antara Bali) - The government is expected to legalize gold mining activities at Mount Botak area on Buru Island in Maluku Province in order to avoid bloody incidents, according to a local councilor.

Member of Buru Regional Legislative Assembly, Syarifuddin, said here on Tuesday that the illegal mining activities around Mouth Botak area had created a lot of problems.

Moreover, he said the licensing process of mining region and people's mining area was still hampered at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

"Therefore, Buru District Head Ramly Umasugi has been asked to legalize the mining activities which are threatening environmental sustainability," Syarifuddin said.

He noted that the Wael family, who owns the land around Mount Botak were the gold deposit is found, should be involved in the legalization process in order to eliminate violent among gold hunters. (*/M038)