Securing the assets of the mineral and coal industry is important to continue to be echoed. The Government of Indonesia has regulated mining activities with a Mining Business Permit (IUP) and a Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK).

Director General of Minerals and Coal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Ridwan Djamaluddin said IUP and IUPK are policies to map business actors who have the right to carry out mining operations in predetermined areas.

"One of the importance of companies having IUP and IUPK is to guarantee and prioritize aspects of work safety. Companies that have permits will be responsible for carrying out operational activities with good mining practices and complying with applicable regulations," he said as quoted from his statement, Thursday (13/10/2022).

In addition to the safety aspect, he ensured that post-mining sustainability is a mandatory task of IUP and IUPK holders. According to him, actors who do not have permits tend to be negligent in their commitments to revitalization, rehabilitation, and reclamation of post-mining land.

"In the end, it is the state and surrounding communities that are harmed by the irresponsible operation of the mine," said Ridwan.

One example of a post-mining sustainability program is the Jangkang Water Reclamation carried out by PT Timah Tbk. In this case, the former mining land converted into a tourist destination can increase regional contributions.

In addition, a post-mining sustainability program was also carried out by PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA). PTBA turned the area of former coal mining in Ombilin, Sawahlunto, into a tourist destination.

The tourist site also managed to become a world cultural heritage that received a UNESCO certificate to become the Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto.

"By maintaining good mining practices, as well as maintaining the quality of mining products, it is hoped that it can maintain a positive image of domestic mining products in the eyes of the world," Ridwan concluded.

For information, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has launched the State-Owned Goods Monitoring Information System (SIMBARA) to realize the post-mining sustainability program. This system is expected to encourage the ecosystem of supervision and management of the mineral and coal sector which is formed from the results of the integration of systems and data from upstream to downstream. The system is also claimed to be able to prevent the trade in minerals and coal from illegal mining.

Image Source: Direktur Jenderal Mineral dan Batubara Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral Ridwan Djamaluddin

Source: https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20221013203640-4-379611/ditjen-minerba-tegaskan-pentingnya-menjaga-aset-tambang