Two Mountains in West Bandung Drilled for Mining, West Java ESDM: Permits Already Obtained
A video showcasing large-scale drilling activities at Mount Guha and Leuweung Hideung, located in Ciptaharja Village, Cipatat District, West Bandung Regency, has gone viral on social media. The activity is reportedly linked to plans for limestone mining.
The footage shows several workers conducting drilling operations in plantation areas surrounding the site. The circulation of this video has raised significant concerns among local residents. According to the narrative accompanying the video, these mining exploration activities pose a potential threat to the Cisaladah and Cipaneguh springs, which serve as essential water sources for the local community, particularly for farmers.
Separately, the Head of the West Java Provincial Department of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bambang Tirtoyloino, confirmed that the drilling is related to exploration activities for limestone mining. The drilling is intended to determine the condition and thickness of the minerals present within the mountain area.
“It is indeed for limestone mining purposes. This drilling activity is part of the research phase to determine the thickness of the minerals inside the mountain. It falls under the exploration stage,” Bambang stated when confirmed on Wednesday.
According to Bambang, the activities are being carried out by PT Karya Karya Nusantara (KKN). The company is reported to have already secured an Operational Production Mining Business Permit (IUP), which was issued on 1 April 2024.
With this permit in place, Bambang ensured that the ongoing exploration activities have a legal basis. However, he emphasised that the permit does not automatically allow the company to commence full-scale mining operations.
“They do have the permit for that activity, but they are not yet permitted to conduct mining activities,” said Bambang.
Bambang explained that the current drilling is limited to research to re-verify the potential mineral content in the area. This research is being conducted within a territory that already holds a mining operation permit. Nevertheless, the company must still fulfil several requirements before proceeding to the production stage.
“This research activity is within an area that already has an operational permit. They likely want to re-confirm the mineral content there. They have the permit, but the party involved is not permitted to carry out mining because there are still requirements that have not been met,” he added.