Kendari, SE Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - The Environment Ministers Office has issued a letter ordering the closure of five mining companies in North Kolaka District, Southeast Sulawesi, a local environmental official said.

Head of the Environment Ministrys local office H Rusbandriyo said here on Friday that the five mining firms were PT.Putra Darma Arwana, PT Citra Silika Malawa, PT Pandu Citra Mulia, PT Kasmartia Raya and PT Tambang Mineral Maju.

"The Environment Ministers letter No. B-12492/Dep-LH/II/2013 was issued last November 2013," he said.

Subandriyo stated that the operations of the five companies were halted because the ministry saw many violations they had committed such as abuse of permits and subsidize fuels.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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