Coal Mining Company Clarifies Operational Issues To KLH

Illustration: Photo: Doc. ANTARA

JAKARTA - A coal mining company in Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency, South Sumatra, PT Abadi Ogan Cemerlang (AOC) submitted a letter of clarification to the Ministry of Environment (KLH).

This step was taken in response to a number of reports that were deemed not in accordance with the conditions on the ground.

Director of AOC Aman Subagio emphasized that the official clarification was conveyed as a form of openness and commitment of the company to run a business according to the provisions.

"We want to open up an objective dialogue space because there is inappropriate information regarding our operations," he said.

In a letter containing eight points of explanation, the AOC ensures that all mining activities are according to the permit until the distance from the mine site is far from settlements and rivers, and are equipped with technical approval for disposal of wastewater according to standards.

The 2024 production quota is 960,000 MT/year, with a realization of only 535,333 MT.

The AOC also denied allegations of using fake documents and confirmed that the case of the arrest of former mining officials in other provinces was not linked to the company.

Terkait dugaan pencemaran Sungai Wal, Site Manager AOC Muhammad menyatakan telah dilakukan verifikasi bersama masyarakat dan aparat. Sampel air telah diambil Dinas Lingkungan Hidup (DLH) OKU pada Juli 2025, namun hasil laboratorium belum diterima.

“Kami berharap hasil uji segera keluar agar penilaian publik berbasis data ilmiah, bukan asumsi,” tegasnya.

AOC menutup klarifikasi dengan komitmen melaksanakan pertambangan yang bertanggung jawab, menjaga lingkungan, dan terus terbuka terhadap evaluasi pemerintah maupun masyarakat.

Regarding the alleged pollution of the Wal River, Site Manager of AOC Muhammad stated that verification had been carried out with the community and the authorities. Water samples have been taken by the OKU Environmental Service (DLH) in July 2025, but laboratory results have not been received.

"We hope that the results of the test will come out soon so that public assessments are based on scientific data, not assumptions," he said.

The AOC closed its clarification with a commitment to carry out responsible mining, protecting the environment, and continuing to be open to government and community evaluations.