group of people raided a mining site belonging to mining company PT Kimco Armindo in Segian village, Kutai Kartanegara regency, East Kalimantan, on Wednesday, blocking coal shipments, injuring 15 workers and damaging six operational vehicles.
“Some of the victims suffered severe injuries and have been evacuated to Balikpapan to receive hospital treatment,” Kimco Armindo director Jamer S. Purba said on Thursday in a statement.
He said it was the fourth and worst raid to occur this month against the company’s operations in the region following previous attacks on March 2, 5 and 12.
The latest attack led Kimco to stop its coal shipments to customers inside and outside Indonesia as its mine conveyor has also been damaged.
“We call on the police and President Joko Widodo’s administration to immediately take action to provide security to create a positive business climate [among investors],” Jamer said.
Kimco produces around 1.8 million tons of coal a year from concession areas measuring about 4,000 hectares.
Tribunnews reported that the company, which is controlled by PT Panji Notonegoro, has not paid a total of Rp 31.6 billion (US$2.37 million) in severance pay to 175 former workers over the past three years. (tas)
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