The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources secures 70,000 coal piles from illegal mining.

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), through the Directorate General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (Ditjen Gakkum ESDM) secured a pile of illegal coal of more than 70,000 tons in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan.

Director General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jeffri Huwae, stated that this illegal stockpile is a potential state wealth that is prone to loss, therefore it must be secured for auction as state revenue.

"Overall, the coal secured is spread across five locations at special ports or coal jetties and mining areas in Loa Kulu and Sebulu Districts, Kutai Kartanegara Regency," said Jeffri, quoted on Thursday, December 1.

Furthermore, Jeffri revealed that the pile of coal had been barricaded using a line or seal from the Directorate General of Gakkum ESDM, and was equipped with a prohibition banner and a plaque stating that the pile was a state asset.

The next stage will be the calculation of the number and assessment of coal quality by surveyors and/or authorized agencies in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

"After the process is completed, coal will be auctioned, the result will be state revenue instead of energy and mineral resources taxes," explained Jeffri.

Jeffri also emphasized that this regulation was a follow-up response to public complaints that were disturbed by the existence of this illegal stockpile. Jeffri expressed his gratitude to the public for providing information and supporting the Directorate General of Gakkum in securing the potential wealth of the state.

This security is carried out with the support and synergy of cross-agencies, involving the Regional Military Command (Kodam) VI/Mulawarman, the East Kalimantan Regional Police, and the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal.

"The Directorate General of Gakkum ESDM continues to strengthen cooperation with various stakeholders and the community in law enforcement in the field of energy and mineral resources, in order to realize sustainable and equitable management of natural resources," he said.