Limited Mine Production Only 25 Percent until RKAB Issue, ESDM Explains

Director General of Mineral and Coal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Tri Winarno. (Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has given permission for mineral and coal development companies to carry out production activities of 25 percent. This applies to several criteria until the approval of the Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) for 2026 is issued.

Director General of Minerals and Coal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Tri Winarno, explained that this rule only applies until March 31, 2026.

"It's until March. What month is March? Twelve divided by three is how much? That's (25 percent)," Tri told the media crew, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, January 6.

Tri added that the relaxation for 3 months does not mean that the company's production capacity is permanently cut. The restrictions are only temporary because the relaxation is given until the end of March 2026.

"What month is March? Yes, a total of 100 percent until December. If it's March, it means 25 percent," continued Tri.

Tri said that this relaxation is aimed at maintaining the continuity of mine operations at the beginning of 2026, especially for IUP, IUPK, IUPK holders as a continuation of contract or agreement operations, Contract Work (KK), and PKP2B production operation phase.

For information, this rule is contained in the Circular Letter of the Director General of Mineral and Coal Number 2.E/HK.03/DJB/2025. Through the circular letter, the government provides certainty to businesses for permit holders whose RKAB 2026 has not obtained approval, in line with the entry into force of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 17 of 2025 which reorganizes the procedures for the preparation, submission, and approval of RKAB.

Despite being given relaxation, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources still applies requirements, including that the company has obtained the RKAB 2026 approval as part of the three-year RKAB, submitted RKAB adjustments through the system, placed a reclamation guarantee in 2025, and obtained the Forest Area Use Approval (PPKH) for the mining area in the forest area.