Indonesia to Launch Crackdown On Illegal Mines in Forests

MINING - JAKARTA. Indonesia's forestry task force is planning a crackdown starting September 1 on mines operating without proper permits in around 4.27 million hectares (10.55 million acres) of forest areas, an official said on Thursday.

The task force already launched what it called a "disciplinary operation" against illegal palm oil production in March, sending military personnel to take over 3.3 million hectares of plantations. Some of the plantations have been handed over to a new state company called Agrinas Palma Nusantara.

Read Also: S&P 500 Posts Record Close, Dollar Edges Up; Nvidia Shares Down After The Bell