PBNU Ready To Manage Mines In East Kalimantan With An Area Of 26,000 Hectares

JAKARTA - The Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board is ready to manage a coal mining concession covering an area of 26 thousand hectares (ha) in East Kalimantan (Kaltim), after this religious community organization (ormas) obtained a Special Mining Business License (IUPK) from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

PBNU General Chair Yahya Cholil Staquf appreciated President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) for granting mining concession permits for community organizations, until the issuance of the IUPK.

"We would like to thank the President for providing concessions until the issuance of the IUP, so we are now ready to immediately work on mining businesses in a predetermined location," said Gus Yahya, his nickname, when giving a statement, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Thursday, August 22.

Gus Yahya explained that the mine concession location belonged to the former PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC), a company that is part of the Bakrie Group.

Gus Yahya said that only a small part of the concession land was explored, so he could not confirm the amount of coal production produced.

PBNU also ensures that mining exploration and exploitation work begins in January 2025.

"Immediately. Immediately. Because the IUP has come out. Hopefully in January we can work," said Gus Yahya.

President Jokowi previously signed a Government Regulation (PP) 25/2024 concerning Amendments to PP 96/2021 regarding the implementation of mineral and coal mining business activities (minerba).

Article 83A PP 25/2024 states that the new regulation allows religious organizations such as NU and Muhammadiyah to manage special mining permits (WIUPK).