PBNU Ensures To Meet The Standards For Environmental Impact On Mining Concession

Chairman of PBNU Yahya Cholil Staquf. (ANTARA/HO-PBNU)

JAKARTA - The Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board ensures that it meets environmental impact management standards due to mining activities simultaneously with a permit regarding the special mining business permit area (WIUPK).

"God willing, all environmental impact management standards from mining will be met by NU later, as required by the government," said PBNU General Chair Yahya Cholil Staquf as reported by ANTARA, Monday, January 13.

Gus Yahya said that the provision of mining concessions to PBNU was the government's agenda.

NU, he said, had never asked for or searched. The government as the one who gave the concession permit.

He emphasized that all matters related to the design of mining management are guided by the government. PBNU is not a business company so it will only follow government guidelines and regulations.

"We just need to follow. We are asked to form a cooperative entity, we form it. Then form a PT company, we form it, and so on. And then stage, by stage, this is all guided by the government," he said.

Likewise with environmental problems, he said, the government already has a number of standard rules on how environmental problems are as a result of mining, it must be considered.

"Well, I think the advantages with NU are that NU has no interest in outsmarting government regulations about the environment," he said.

Gus Yahya previously said that his party formed PT Berkah Usaha Muamalah Nusantara (BUMN) to manage 25 thousand to 26 thousand hectares of mines in East Kalimantan.

He said the shares of the business are owned by NU cooperatives managed by administrators and residents. They are currently trying to meet various requirements to start exploration.

Regarding reclamation, his party is also looking for investors to help with funding.

"Now about the potential for coal, of course we have to wait for the results of the exploration later, because we haven't. Now the permit for exploration is still being processed," he said.