REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PALEMBANG -- The mining companies operating in South Sumatra are obliged to preserve the forests in the province, according to a local official.

"The mining companies here must preserve the forests and address the impact of mining activities on the environment," South Sumatra Forestry Department spokesman Sigit Wibowo stated, here on Thursday.

He emphasized that the mining companies should obey the existing regulations to preserve the forests around their operation area.

According to him, there are some mining companies which have procured the license from the Ministry of Forestry to operate in the forest area in South Sumatra.

But, Sigit added, he will continue to evaluate the mining activities to find out whether they have affected the surrounding forests.

He noted that he will give a warning to the companies which were found destroying the forest in the province.

"The protected and productive forests here should remain sustainable, and thus, the mining companies have to preserve them," he noted.

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