Banyuwangi – Residents in Banyuwangi have opposed PT Indo Multi Niaga's (PT IMN) mining operation, which they accuse of damaging the environment.

The presence of PT IMN was also blamed for the mushrooming of illegal mining. "Illegal miners will continue to be there as long as the exploration activities of PT IMN are not revoked," Rosdi Bahtiar of the Banyuwangi Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) said recently.

He said conflicts between local people, miners and the state apparatus will go on unless the Forestry Ministry and the regency administration restore Gunung Tumpang Pitu as a protected forest.

Residents at Pesanggrahan district protested at a rally, which prompted the deployment of two platoons of Mobile Brigade (Brimob) personnel.