PBNU Forms PT BUMN To Manage 26 Ha Coal Mining Land In East Kalimantan

JAKARTA - The Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board has formed a business entity PT Berkah Usaha Muamalah Nusantara (BUMN) which will manage coal mines in East Kalimantan.

PBNU General Chair Yahya Cholil Staquf said this business entity would manage at least 25,000 to 26,000 hectares of mining land handed over to PBNU by the government.

"PT Berkah Usaha Muamalah Nusantara. This is the name of the company owned by the NU Cooperative. The shares are owned by the NU Cooperative," he said, quoted on Monday, January 6.

Cholil explained that his party was still taking care of environmental studies that were required by the government after receiving the Special Mining Business Permit Area (WIUPK).

"Now there are various kinds of requirements to start exploration and so on are still being prepared. Not yet finished. So of course later we will follow the existing flow. Because this has been given to us. We will fulfill everything," explained Cholil.

When asked about the amount of coal potential on PBNU's managed land, Cholil admitted that he did not know the existing reserves and potential because he was still waiting for the results and management of the exploration permit.

"But the mining business permit area has been issued. So that the business license can be processed. But we have met many requirements," he said.

Regarding coal downstreaming, Cholil said that PBNU is still working on the design of mining business development so that there are no talks related to downstreaming.

Downstreaming will only be discussed once businesses start running and depend on investment calculations.

"Don't let us do business as if we can get concessions and then lose NU. Don't let it happen. We want it to continue to have benefits and development, how it depends on later," said Cholil.