Banten Deputy Governor Orders To Close Illegal Mines For Environmental Destroyer

SERANG - Deputy Governor of Banten Achmad Dimyati Natakusumah ordered the government to close illegal mines that operate without a permit and damage the environment in their area.

"If it's illegal, I'll close it. Don't try it. In Banten there can't be illegal mining," Dimyati said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, October 24.

According to Dimyati, illegal mining activities not only damage the environment but also cause state losses because they do not pay taxes or social obligations.

"If it's illegal, you don't pay taxes, you don't pay CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility / corporate social responsibility), you don't care about the environment, don't make it work. As long as it's illegal, the loss will increase," he said.

He revealed that several areas in Banten such as Jawilan and Cimarga still found irregular mining activities.

"I will also check Cimarga. There are illegal ones and some are legal. No one should damage the environment," he said.

Dimyati explained that even legal mines must be closely monitored so as not to violate exploitation rules. "The mine is legal, but some violate the rules. Some have permits in one place, but dig behind them," he said.

He also highlighted the environmental impact of excavations that were not in accordance with the rules.

"Water gets dirty, fish dies, rain becomes flooded. Once it's dug, how about reclamation? Let me check how to reclamation mines," he said.

Local governments, he continued, will re-map problematic mining points and strengthen cross-sectoral coordination. We have mapped the problem of this mining account. I want everything to be orderly, so as not to disturb the public and tourists," he said.

Dimyati emphasized that natural resource management must be carried out in a balanced manner. We have great natural potential, but it must be managed by the rules. Don't end up being a problem," he concluded.