KPK Finds Reclamation Management Of Mining Areas In Various Regions Not Maximum

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has asked the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to improve the management of mining reclamation guarantee funds. This step is important because the receipt of recovery after the exploration process in a number of areas has not been maximized.

This was conveyed by the Acting (Plt) Deputy for Coordination and Supervision of the KPK Agung Yudha Wibowo at the Coordination Meeting on Environmental Management Guarantee Funds (DJPL) in Mining Business Activities at the KPK's Merah Putih building, Kuningan Persada, South Jakarta, Wednesday, September 24.

"A number of these findings show that post-mining management is still not optimal," said Agung in an official statement from the institution quoted on Monday, September 29.

The KPK revealed that there were people who reported allegations of misuse of reclamation guarantee funds in Bintan Regency, Riau Islands.

Agung said that the funds that were initially deposited with the Riau Islands Provincial Government to the central government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources were actually in accordance with the regulations. However, recently found inconsistencies in numbers due to changes in regulations.

"Where some of the funds are returned to the area for the reclamation of Mining Business Permits (IUP) for Non-Mountain Mineral Minerals (MBLB). As a result, the amount of funds received by ESDM is smaller," he said.

Then the KPK also noted that the reclamation of metal minerals throughout Indonesia in Energy and Mineral Resources only amounted to Rp26 trillion. "The condition in Bintan is a portrait of a national case," said Agung.

"Because I believe the same thing also happens in other regions, many mines are not reclamationd, even if there is a very small number," he continued.

Still in the same forum, the anti-corruption commission also explained a number of issues related to mining governance. Among them, the placement of reclamation guarantees was only carried out after the mining business license was issued.

Then there are also provisions where after mining activities stop for three years, the government can appoint third parties to carry out reclamation.

This provision raises the problem because the mine is in the area, while the reclamation fund and the authority for the reclamation of mineral and metal mines are at the center. As a result, the implementation of reclamation does not run optimally," explained Agung.

The Director of Engineering and the Mineral and Coal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Hendra Gunawan, responded to various problems presented by the anti-corruption commission. Hendra Gunawan said that his ministry was currently drafting new rules to strengthen reclamation obligations.

"We have prepared a government regulation that replaces PP 78 of 2020 concerning reclamation and post-mining. We will include any input in this meeting in the government regulations that are being prepared," concluded Hendra.