"In the cooperation, Indonesia will be represented by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources`s Geological Agency, which involves the Mines and Energy offices of West and East Kalimantan," Head of the Geology Mines and Energy Agency Nasir Salekat said here, Thursday.
Nasir said that the cooperation is expected to produce more sophisticated, detailed and specific data about the geological structure, as well as the spread of data on potential mining.
"The cooperation is important and profitable to the province, because of the mining potential has not been optimally utilized. With the new data new investors can sign contracts," he said.
According to him, a number of potential mining objects in the area has been detected and some have been explored and exploited, such as bauxite, gold, kaolin, copper and coal.
With the new study, Nasir is optimistic the new geological studies will yield more complete data and reveal new mining types because the geological structures and data mining potential study in the Malaysian border area continue to grow which usually have a strong correlation in Indonesia.
Prior to working jointly with Malaysia, the Geology Agency and local Mines and Energy Ministry have already to conducted preliminary researches in the border region of West Kalimantan and East Kalimantan.
"The results of our research will be juxtaposed with data of Malaysia, and then will be studied together by applying it in the field, synchronized until the mapping is made," he said.
When asked about the news about Malaysian coal mining activities in the border region that have reportedly entered Indonesian territory, Nasir said that there are not yet recorded data on any Malaysian mining activities in Indonesia based on available preliminary data.
"The problem will also be explained to prevent future illegal mining operations," said Nasir.
(U.A050/H-NG/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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