ESDM and Academics Strengthen Mining Governance Study at Gunung Botak
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Directorate General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is collaborating with academics from Pattimura University to strengthen a study on the governance of the Mining Business Permit Area (WIUP) in the Gunung Botak block, Maluku. The hope is that harmonising the roles of higher education institutions and local government can create synergy, so that the management of mining operations at Gunung Botak provides benefits to the community without causing negative impacts, said Director General of Law Enforcement Jeffri Huwae in a statement received in Tuban, East Java, on Thursday.
Jeffri stated that the current management of mining operations in the Gunung Botak block faces complex governance challenges. Upstream mining operations in the area are currently managed by several holders of People’s Mining Permits (IPR) with limited production capacity and are highly dependent on other parties with capital strength and mastery of processing and refining technology. This condition contradicts the principles of community mining management and is highly vulnerable to safety risks and environmental pollution.
Furthermore, strengthening local government control over community mining activities is crucial to ensure that the utilisation of mineral resources provides optimal benefits for the welfare of local communities, while simultaneously minimising risks to environmental management and restoration, Jeffri said. He also emphasised that the academic approach based on scientific study represents the central government’s commitment to enforcing good mining practice. The objective is to map potential impacts from legal, technical operational, commercial, socio-cultural resilience, to environmental sustainability aspects in the area.
Gunung Botak is a national strategic asset that must provide tangible benefits for the people of Maluku. Therefore, future policy choices must be based on careful consideration to minimise state revenue losses, environmental sustainability risks, and social instability. Input, ideas, and critical reviews submitted by Pattimura University academics will be directly integrated as the main substance in the preparation of the Study on the Effectiveness of Mining Business Management at Gunung Botak document, Jeffri said. He also expressed hope that the collaboration could serve as a scientific reference for decision-making at the central government level to realise mining governance that is fair, legal, and brings long-term prosperity.