NU National Conference Discusses Mining Management, from Ownership to Utilisation
The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) National Conference (Munas) and Grand Conference (Konbes) in Kediri, East Java, has addressed the management of mining assets. Steering Committee Secretary Prof M Nuh stated that the conference successfully ratified a regulation on mining asset management, resolving previous controversies. “Alhamdulillah, we have completed the association regulation on mining, the management of mining assets. This was something that previously caused a stir, but we have now agreed upon it through this association regulation,” he told reporters at the Al Falah Pesantren in Ploso Village, Mojo District, Kediri Regency, on Monday.
Prof M Nuh explained that the regulation covers four main aspects. The first is ownership, where the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) ensures that the assets belong entirely to the Nahdlatul Ulama association, and no individual or limited company can claim ownership. “Ownership is 100 percent by the Nahdlatul Ulama association,” he said.
The second aspect is governance, which must align with previous congress decisions, explicitly prohibiting excessive exploitation that causes environmental damage. “We ensure that governance complies with sharia rules; exploration is allowed, but excessive exploitation is not permitted,” he stated. He added that PBNU will collaborate with companies to manage the assets due to its own limited capabilities.
The third aspect concerns utilisation, ensuring that the benefits are distributed to the entire NU community, from the central board down to the village branches and affiliated institutions. “It is not permissible and not justified for individual administrators to receive the benefits. This is stipulated in the association regulation we have just ratified,” he said.
The fourth aspect stipulates that the mining venture must not be incidental but must guarantee sustainability, including responsibility for the local ecosystem and ensuring that the surrounding communities also benefit from the mining activities.