Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Approves 580 Million Tonnes of Coal RKAB

Director General of Minerals and Coal (Dirjen Minerba) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Tri Winarno, stated that as of Friday (27/3), his office has approved around 580 million tonnes of Work Plans and Budgets (RKAB) for coal mining companies this year.

“The coal ones are almost finished, around 580 (million tonnes),” Tri revealed at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs office in Jakarta on Friday (27/3).

The Ministry of ESDM has granted flexibility to mining companies to continue production up to a maximum of 25% of the 2026 production target outlined in the three-year RKAB, even though the 2026 RKAB revision has not yet been approved. This provision is regulated in Circular Letter (SE) Number 2.E/HK.03/DJB/2025 regarding the 2026 RKAB, issued on 31 December 2025 and valid until 31 March 2026.

Through this policy, holders of Mining Business Licences (IUP), Special Mining Business Licences (IUPK), Coal Contracts (KK), and Coal Mining Business Agreements (PKP2B) at the production operation stage are still permitted to carry out mining activities based on the previously approved RKAB.

However, production implementation must still comply with several provisions, including that the company has obtained approval for the 2026 RKAB as part of the three-year RKAB for the 2024–2026 or 2025–2027 period.

Meanwhile, for nickel production, Tri mentioned that only around 150 million tonnes have been approved. Nevertheless, he did not detail the remaining unapproved RKAB.

“Nikel already has maybe over 150 million tonnes,” Tri concluded.