Central Sulawesi ESDM: Only Seven Mining Companies Have Secured RKAB Approval

The Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Department of Central Sulawesi Province has stated that only seven non-metallic mineral and rock (MBLB) or ‘Galian C’ companies have obtained approval for their 2026 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB).

Sultanisah, Head of the Mineral and Coal Division at Central Sulawesi ESDM, stated in Palu on Monday that 136 MBLB companies with active production operation (OP) status have submitted their RKAB applications for 2026. “It is recorded that only 136 MBLB or Galian C companies with production operation status have applied for the 2026 RKAB. Of these, 21 are currently being processed, and 7 have already received their RKAB approval,” she said.

She explained that there are currently 292 companies with mining business licences (IUP) under production operation status spread across 13 regencies and cities in Central Sulawesi. However, only a fraction of these companies have submitted their RKAB for next year’s operations.

According to her, the seven companies that have secured their RKAB are distributed across Donggala Regency (three companies), North Morowali Regency (two companies), and Morowali Regency (two companies). The approved companies are Rezki Utama Jaya, Pasi Wita Aksata, Khatulistiwa Mineral and Mining, Jasatama Mandiri Sukses, Indologo Sejahtera, Bosowa Tambang Indonesia, and Sinar Mutiara Megalithindo.

Central Sulawesi ESDM has also warned mining operators not to conduct any mining activities before obtaining RKAB approval. “Mining companies that have not applied for the 2026 RKAB and have not received approval must not carry out their mining operations,” Sultanisah stated.

She emphasised that mining companies operating without an approved RKAB could face administrative sanctions, ranging from fines to the revocation of their mining business licences. This warning follows the expiration of the three-year RKAB period (2024-2026) on 31 March 2026, as regulated by Circular Letter Number 2.E/HK.03/DJB/2025 regarding the 2026 RKAB, dated 31 December 2025.

The Central Sulawesi ESDM Department also revealed that many mining companies have yet to meet the basic requirements for RKAB submission. A primary obstacle is the failure to deposit reclamation guarantees (Jamrek) in government banks. Additionally, mining companies are required to appoint a Mine Technical Manager (KTT) as the person responsible for mining operations and must be registered in the Minerbaone system.