Bahlil Reminds Entrepreneurs Managing Mining Must Prioritize People's Interests

Illustration: Photo: Doc. ANTARA

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia reminded mining actors that Indonesia's natural resource wealth is one of the largest in the world.

He requested that this natural resource be managed as well as possible for the benefit of the people.

"Our natural resources are so large, we must manage them as well as possible, for the benefit of the people, nation and state, and for the welfare of our people. This is related to Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution," said Bahlil, quoted Thursday, October 15.

Bahlil's message is in line with President Prabowo Subianto's directives, where natural resource management, especially mining, must think about future generations and be carried out in accordance with applicable rules.

"What has always been our President's direction is that our natural resources, our mines, in its management, don't think we will spend it all at once, we must remember that there is our next generation. What we must do well, with a good environment, with processes that meet the rules that apply," he explained.

Bahlil also encouraged economic equity to the regions through the mining sector.

Regarding downstreaming, the Government submitted around 18-20 downstream projects with a total investment of 38 billion US dollars or Rp618 trillion.

Projects are predicted to create up to 300,000 jobs directly and more than one million indirect jobs.

"This is a way of state presence to encourage programs to equalize economic growth in the regions. Our economy should not only grow in Jakarta, it must be in the regions. What is the way? Downstream. If without this, I think it would be difficult for us to achieve accelerated development," said Bahlil.

Demi mencapai pemerataan pembangunan hingga ke daerah, melalui Undang-undang (UU) Nomor 2 Tahun 2025 tentang Perubahan Keempat atas Undang-Undang Nomor 4 Tahun 2009 tentang Pertambangan Mineral dan Batubara, Pemerintah memberi kesempatan bagi Usaha Mikro, Kecil, dan Menengah (UMKM), Koperasi, dan Badan Usaha Milik Daerah (BUMD) lokal untuk dapat diberikan prioritas dalam mengajukan Izin Usaha Pertambangan (IUP).

In order to achieve equitable development to the regions, through Law (UU) Number 2 of 2025 concerning the Fourth Amendment to Law Number 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining, the Government provides opportunities for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Cooperatives, and local Regional Owned Enterprises (BUMD) to be given priority in applying for a Mining Business Permit (IUP).