Illegal Mining in East Kalimantan Linked to Pre-OSS Licensing System Flaws
Samarinda (ANTARA) - Head of the East Kalimantan Provincial Energy and Mineral Resources Agency (ESDM) Bambang Arwanto has revealed that the prevalence of illegal mining practices in his region is closely linked to the mining licensing system that existed before the implementation of Online Single Submission (OSS).
"Before the OSS era, the licensing mechanism allowed overlapping permits to occur, particularly when permits involved different commodities. This condition opened loopholes for certain parties to obtain permits on land that already had existing permits, or even on land where ownership had not yet been released," said Bambang in Samarinda on Thursday.
Bambang further explained that following the implementation of OSS, particularly with the risk-based electronically integrated business licensing system (OSS-RBA), overlapping permits should no longer occur. The OSS-RBA system strictly prohibits the issuance of conflicting permits and requires compliance with Spatial Utilisation Activity Conformity Approval (PKKPR).
"Previously, several permits were issued but the land was never released or cleared. This is what enabled the emergence of illegal mines," he elaborated.
This situation was subsequently exploited by members of the community who felt their land had not been properly acquired. They tended to engage in illegal mining activities as an alternative source of income. Bambang noted that this created corridors at certain points that became locations for illegal mining.
However, he emphasised that following the overhaul of the licensing system through OSS-RBA, which began implementation in 2018 and was refined in 2021, the practice of issuing overlapping permits no longer occurs.
The East Kalimantan Provincial Government continues to carry out supervision and enforcement against illegal mining activities still occurring in the field. The public is urged to report any illegal mining activities through the complaint channels provided by the East Kalimantan ESDM Agency.
"Before the OSS era, the licensing mechanism allowed overlapping permits to occur, particularly when permits involved different commodities. This condition opened loopholes for certain parties to obtain permits on land that already had existing permits, or even on land where ownership had not yet been released," said Bambang in Samarinda on Thursday.
Bambang further explained that following the implementation of OSS, particularly with the risk-based electronically integrated business licensing system (OSS-RBA), overlapping permits should no longer occur. The OSS-RBA system strictly prohibits the issuance of conflicting permits and requires compliance with Spatial Utilisation Activity Conformity Approval (PKKPR).
"Previously, several permits were issued but the land was never released or cleared. This is what enabled the emergence of illegal mines," he elaborated.
This situation was subsequently exploited by members of the community who felt their land had not been properly acquired. They tended to engage in illegal mining activities as an alternative source of income. Bambang noted that this created corridors at certain points that became locations for illegal mining.
However, he emphasised that following the overhaul of the licensing system through OSS-RBA, which began implementation in 2018 and was refined in 2021, the practice of issuing overlapping permits no longer occurs.
The East Kalimantan Provincial Government continues to carry out supervision and enforcement against illegal mining activities still occurring in the field. The public is urged to report any illegal mining activities through the complaint channels provided by the East Kalimantan ESDM Agency.