DIY Local Government Seals 4 Illegal Mining Locations

Illustration. Sand mining activities in the Gendol, Mount Merapi, Cangkringan, Sleman rivers, DI Yogyakarta, Monday (6/1/2020). BETWEEN PHOTOS/Hendra Nurdiyansyah/ama.

YOGYAKARTA - The Yogyakarta Special Region Government closed four mining locations without permits or illegal ones spread across Gunungkidul and Bantul Regencies.

Head of the DIY Public Works, Housing, Energy and Mineral Resources (PUPESDM) Anna Rina Herbaranti said the closure of illegal activities followed up on the instructions of the Governor of Yogyakarta Sri Sultan HB X.

"During the closing process, we conveyed that mining activities must stop before the licensing documents are completed and the company agrees," Anna said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 17.

He said three locations of illegal niruk land mining activities were found in Serut and Rejosari Villages, Gedangsari District, and Tancep Village, Ngawen District (Gunungkidul), and one location in Sitimulyo Village, Piyungan District ( Bantul).

"Our closure was carried out together by involving a number of regional apparatus organizations (OPD) of the Yogyakarta Regional Government together with the Special Criminal Directorate of the Yogyakarta Regional Police," he said.

Anna explained that during the closing process, her party at the same time signed a report on the supervision and delivery of an appeal letter for mining activities to be stopped.

With the signing, all activities at the location, including the transportation and sale of land excavations, must be stopped.

From the findings in the field, a number of companies have obtained permits from the Ministry of Investment/Investment Coordinating Agency (BKPM), but the permit is still lacking, because environmental documents have not been fulfilled.

"So we don't just stop mining activities, but also require mining companies to reorganize the land," he said.

Because the role of supervision of regional stakeholders or district governments is very important, he appealed to the environmental offices and district Satpol PP to help supervise.

"The role of these two agencies is very much needed because mining activities have damaged the environment. Do not let the damage to residents' houses due to mining increase," he said.

According to Anna, companies that carry out mining must be responsible for repairing mined locations.

In addition to closing four illegal mining locations, the DIY PUPESDM Service has also issued a letter of appeal for the termination of illegal mining activities in 32 other locations in DIY.

Of the 32 mining points, he said, only eight locations hold exploration permits.

Anna said the most mining locations were in Kulon Progo Regency, namely 15 points which were divided into 13 mining activities in rivers and two in land areas.

Furthermore, there are 11 locations in Bantul Regency which include seven mining points, in rivers and four on land.

As for Gunung Kidul and Sleman Regencies, there are three illegal mining points each, all of which are located on land.

Previously, Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X asked for the involvement and responsibility of the district government to take firm action against illegal mining in their respective regions.

Mining activities in DIY are not prohibited as long as they comply with applicable regulations.

"For example, in Gunungkidul, the mine in the karst in the area should not be mined. There are rules for everything, it must be seen," said Sri Sultan.