Bogor Regency Government Prepares 15 Km Mining Road, Activities Will Be Strictly Regulated

Residents of Parung Panjang, demonstrating related to the mining road in Bogor Regency (Ist)

BOGOR - The Bogor Regency Government together with the West Java Provincial Government has prepared a transition scheme so that mining activities in the West Bogor area can resume in a limited manner, after the temporary closure by Governor Dedi Mulyadi or KDM.

Bogor Regency Regional Secretary Ajat Rochmat Jatnika said the scheme would be discussed with the West Java Governor as part of efforts to maintain a balance between the economic needs of the community and the arrangement of mining activities.

"People want to keep economic activities, even if limited. That's what we will talk about with the Governor," said Ajat after an audience between Bogor Regent Rudy Susmanto with mine entrepreneurs and residents affected by the closure of mining activities, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, January 14.

This option for reopening was after several demonstrations by residents affected by the closure of mining activities at the Cigudeg District Office.

According to Ajat, the Bogor Regency Government together with entrepreneurs has shown good faith through an agreement to build a special mine transport road along about 15 kilometers which crosses Cigudeg, Rumpin, and Parungpanjang.

The line will later become the only access for vehicles transporting mine materials, so that large-load trucks will no longer pass through public roads used by the community.

While waiting for the road to be built, the Bogor Regency Government proposed operational restrictions, such as only allowing small-tonnage vehicles to pass on the existing lane to maintain the movement of the residents' economy without causing major disruptions.

Ajat explained that the closure and opening of mines is the authority of the West Java Provincial Government, so that all options prepared by the local government and entrepreneurs will be submitted to the Governor as a material for consideration.

"The Governor is very concerned about the social and environmental impacts. Therefore, the decision will not be made hastily," he said.

He added that the special mine road is seen as a long-term solution to reduce the potential for conflict between mining activities and community life around the mine area.

"If this special lane already exists, mining activities can run more orderly and the risk of unrest in the community can be reduced," said Ajat.