Publicly listed mining firm PT Merdeka Copper Gold has allocated capital expenditure (capex) of Rp 2.28 trillion (US$160 million) for the exploration of work in East Java, Maluku and Gorontaro provinces.

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the Banda Sea, Maluku, on Monday at 9:53 a.m. Jakarta time, the US Geological Survey website stated on Monday, while a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Central Memberamo regency in Papua earlier in the day.