Bahlil reports progress on addressing problematic mining permits to the Palace

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia reported to President Prabowo Subianto regarding measures to regulate mining business permits (IUP), particularly those located in forest areas and not operated in accordance with their intended purpose. Bahlil stated that the government is evaluating several mining permits that are complete administratively but have never been operated by the permit holders. “I reported on the regulation of mining permits, particularly in forest areas and several IUPs that have not been utilised as they should be,” Bahlil said after a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday. According to Bahlil, this evaluation is a follow-up to the President’s instructions given about one to two months ago to straighten out problematic mining permits. Bahlil emphasised that the government wants to ensure all mining permits provide economic benefits while still maintaining sustainable natural resource governance. He added that the results of the mining permit evaluation have been reported to President Prabowo as part of efforts to reform the national mining sector. “The President has instructed this about a month ago, two months ago if I’m not mistaken, to conduct an evaluation, and I reported the developments,” he explained. The regulation of IUP in forest areas represents a new phase in the national mining sector reform, which not only ensures legal certainty and good governance but also maintains a balance between the utilisation of natural resources and environmental protection.