About 200 students joined members of the Alliance of People Rejecting Mining in East Nusa Tenggara for a rally today in Kupang, demanding the end of operations of PT Fathi Resources, an Indonesian partner of Australia’s Hilgrove Resources Ltd.

Protesters said the company has damaged the ecosystem and affected water reservoirs in East and West Sumba districts.

“We ask local legislators to exercise their political rights by urging the governor to revoke the mining permit,” said Iwan Umbu, who coordinated the rally.

According to company website, the mining authority granted rights to PT Fathi Resources in October 2008, covering 3,313 square kilometers and three project areas.

Then in November 2009, a 10-year mining contract was granted over the most prospective 999 square kilometer area on Sumba Island.