Legalisation of Small-Scale Mining Seen as Providing Legal Certainty for Small-Scale Miners
National Assembly - Head of Environment of MN KAHMI, Nasyirul Falah Amru, also known as Gus Falah, said that the step to legalise small-scale mining is an important part of the state’s effort to provide legal certainty for small-time miners. The move is also important to curb the rampant illegal mining activities that have, so far, harmed the state and the environment. He stated this at the ‘National Dialogue’ of MN KAHMI 2022-2027, themed ‘Small-Scale Mining and Environmental Issues’, at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 20 May.
“The state must provide a clear legal space so that communities receive protection, access to guidance, and responsibility for environmental sustainability. Also to ensure illegal mining can be tackled,” he asserted.
Gus Falah also highlighted the large losses to the state from unauthorised or illegal mining. He cited President Prabowo Subianto’s statement that losses from illegal mining activities are estimated to reach at least Rp300 trillion per year.
“That figure shows that the issue of illegal mining is not merely a legal matter, but also a leakage of the national economy; hence legalisation becomes important,” Gus Falah said.
Gus Falah stated that the national dialogue forum organised by MN KAHMI is an important moment to build the governance of inclusive, legal small-scale mining that still respects environmental sustainability.
“This dialogue is important as a shared space to formulate the direction of policy for small-scale mining that not only benefits the welfare of communities but also safeguards ecological sustainability. The state must ensure that small-scale mining does not operate in illegality or cause environmental damage,” he said.
On the same occasion, MN KAHMI Presidium Coordinator (Korpres) Abdullah Puteh said that small-scale mining is a social-economic reality that cannot be ignored. In many regions, small-scale mining is the main livelihood for inhabitants. However, challenges such as environmental damage, water pollution, deforestation, land conflicts, poor occupational safety, and the use of hazardous substances such as mercury cannot be ignored.
“Thus, small-scale mining must be managed, not merely controlled. It should be legalised through proper governance, not allowed to grow in a legal grey area that opens space for exploitation,” he added.
The National Dialogue was also attended by speakers including Habe Hanafi (Business Operator), Ahmad Syauqi (Director of Techniques and Environment for Mineral and Coal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources), Prof Dr Supriatna (Director of the School of Environmental Science UI), and Victor Uly Silitonga (President Director of PT MTLB). (Cah/P-3)
Induk Koperasi Tambang Nusantara (IKTN) continues to campaign to socialise Government Regulation (PP) No. 39 of 2025 on the Management of Minerals and Coal. The policy is designed so that small-scale mining truly becomes an instrument to improve community welfare and is not dominated by large capital.
Polda Riau has urged the government to reactivate small-scale mining areas in Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing).