"The district head, based on the law, can close the operations of a mining firm if the local people who experience its direct impact object to it and feel they are disadvantaged," Zulkifli Mahadi said here on Tuesday.
He made the statement in an open meeting with different elements of the local people at the local legislative assembly (DPRD) building.
So far, the regional government of West Sumbawa had demanded the seven percent divestment stake of NNT, the country`s second largest gold and copper mining company.
The central government has decided to acquire the seven percent stake which is the last part of NNT`s divestment process.
"We have many letters and demand from the West Sumbawa people who expressed their objection and protest against NNT activities which they said more disadvantageous if compared with what NNT reaped from the mining so far," the district head said.
The district head and the local DPRD have agreed to sign a common attitude document where they demanded a stake ownership and agreed to impose Bylaw No. 1/2010 on mining commission which had so far been rejected by NNT.(*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
