IKN Authority to Take Over Reclamation of Illegal Mining Sites
The Nusantara Capital City Authority (OICN) plans to carry out reforestation on several former mining areas scattered throughout the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) region. This effort is part of environmental recovery and supports the development concept of IKN as a sustainable forest city.
The Deputy for Environment and Natural Resources at OIKN, Myrna Safitri, explained that not all former mining areas in IKN will be handled directly by OIKN. She noted that there are two categories of former mining land requiring different approaches.
The first category consists of former mining areas located within mining business permit areas. For these lands, the obligation for reclamation remains the responsibility of the permit holders in accordance with applicable regulations. Myrna stated that OIKN has obtained data on the progress of reclamation at several licensed mining locations. This data will serve as material for joint evaluation with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to assess the extent to which companies are fulfilling their obligations to restore post-mining land.
“Those within permitted areas are the responsibility of the permit holders. We already hold the reclamation process data and will check alongside the Ministry of ESDM to see the level of compliance,” she said.
Meanwhile, OIKN’s primary focus is on former mining areas located outside permitted zones. These lands fall into the category of illegal mining; however, in many cases, the perpetrators of the mining activities are no longer known, leaving no party accountable for conducting reclamation. This situation has prompted OIKN to take a role through a revegetation programme. The first step will involve identifying the types of plants most suitable for the land conditions damaged by mining activities.
The environmental recovery process will be carried out in stages. In the initial phase, OIKN will plant fast-growing trees to establish vegetation cover and improve ecosystem conditions. Once shade and a more stable environment have been established, planting will continue with endemic species native to Kalimantan so that the area gradually regains its natural ecological functions.
“It will be done in layers. First, fast-growing plants to build the ecosystem and cover the land. Once there is shade, endemic plants will be planted,” said Myrna.
Through this approach, OIKN hopes that abandoned former mining lands can be greened again and contribute to environmental conservation targets within the IKN region.