Residents Complained Granite Blasting Hazards to The Legislature

Complain Blasting Granite Company

Conducted blasting quarry granite companies in Karimun regency often endanger the safety of residents. If some time ago flying rocks hit residents in the vicinity of PT MGU in Pangke, Meral, this time also happened to Sememal residents, Pasir Panjang Village.

Five representatives of the residents Sememal, Pasir Panjang, Meral District granite blasting hazard complaints by PT Kawasan Dinamika Harmonitama (KDH) to the House of Representatives Karimun Regency, Riau Islands Province, Monday (1/8).

Residents asked the legislature to call to question the management of PT KDH about blasting procedure within a mining activity.

''Blasting by PT KDH worried residents. We worry will cause casualties,'' said Hidayat, a resident.

Saturday (30/7), the lump of rock the size of an adult human's head flew from the mine site to the residential area in Sememal.

Stone hit a power cord that resulted in the flow of electricity in the region due to short circuit outages.

"Luckily the rock hit the power cord, if hitting someone's head, probably will cause casualties,'' he said.

The incidence of stones flying often override settlements inhabited by more than 150 people, the stones often fall in the courtyard houses.

The distance between the residential area to the mine site is only about 300 meters, while the granite rock burst that occurred on Saturday is about 700 meters. Thus, the rock across the residential area and crossed to the other side of the main street in the village.

Chairman of Commission C House of Representatives of Karimun Regency, HM Taufik said he would hold a hearing with the management of PT KDH next week.

Council will also call the Head of Mining and Energy and the Environment Agency to find out the rules and procedures as well as the granite mining company's obligation to anticipate the negative impact of mining activities.

PT KDH is one of a number of granite mining companies operating in free trade zones on the island of Karimun.

Granite mining sector remains a key sector for the Government of Karimun regency which contributed greatly to the revenue.

In addition to PT KDH, there is also a granite company PT Bukit Granite Mining Mandiri and PT Wira Penta Kencana in Pongkar Village, Tebing District. Then, there is also PT MGU in Pangke, Meral District.