The Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) has announced its readiness to manage a coal mining concession. This follows President Joko Widodo's decision to permit mass organizations to oversee mining operations.

PBNU is set to manage a coal mining concession covering 26,000 hectares in East Kalimantan. This initiative will commence after the religious mass organization received a Special Mining Business License (IUPK) from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

PBNU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf expressed his appreciation to President Joko Widodo for granting the mining concession to mass organizations, leading to the issuance of the IUPK.

"We extend our thanks to the President for granting the concession up to the issuance of the IUP, so we are now ready to immediately begin mining operations at the designated location," he stated on Sunday (25/8).

Further elaborating, Gus Yahya explained that the mining concession PBNU will manage is part of the former PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) concession, a company under the Bakrie Group. It is noted that only a small portion of this concession area has been explored so far.

Gus Yahya indicated that the exact volume of coal production is yet to be determined. However, he confirmed that PBNU plans to commence exploration and exploitation activities by January 2025.

"Soon. Very soon. Since the IUP has been issued, we hope to start work by January," Gus Yahya added.

Previously, President Jokowi signed Government Regulation (PP) No. 25/2024, amending PP No. 96/2021 regarding the implementation of mineral and coal mining business activities.

Article 83A of PP No. 25/2024 stipulates that the new regulation allows religious mass organizations such as Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah to manage special mining permit areas.