30 Jan 2012

Mining exploration permit halted

5:58 am on 30 January 2012

Indonesia has revoked a gold mining exploration permit granted to an Australian company after a series of protests against the project left two people dead last month.

Thousands of people demonstrated on Sumbawa island last week, setting government buildings on fire.

In December, police fired on anti-mining protesters, leaving two people dead.

The ARX company of Australia has halted the project, which covers some 250 square km, in the wake of the trouble.

Critics have been concerned the project would have a negative environmental impact.