Police Shoot Police Case In South Solok Mine, ESDM Service: No Permit

Illustration of police officers. (Between)

Head of the West Sumatra Mineral Resources Energy Service (ESDM) Herry Martinus revealed that the sand and stone mines in South Solok Regency led to the police shooting the police did not have permits or were illegal.

"Yes, there is no permit yet," said Head of the West Sumatra Province ESDM Service Herry Martinus in Padang, Monday, December 2, confiscated by Antara.

Herry said that until now the West Sumatra ESDM Office has only processed three mining activity permits in South Solok Regency. Of that number, he continued, only one mine has reached the production operation stage.

In general, the West Sumatra ESDM Office noted that there were 131 mining locations that had obtained permits or IUPs. A complete of seven in Pasaman Regency, six in West Pasaman Regency, 26 in Padang Pariaman.

Then 15 IUPs in Pesisir Selatan Regency, 11 in Solok Regency, three in Agam Regency, four IUPs in Sijunjung Regency, 17 in Padang City, 35 in Limapuluh Kota Regency, two in Dharmasraya Regency, one each IUP in South Solok Regency, Tanah Datar Regency, and Mentawai Islands Regency, and two IUPs in Sawahlunto City.

Of the 131 IUPs issued, the ESDM Office noted that the mining area reached more than five thousand hectares. In addition, the relevant agencies also recorded 81 mining permits that were still in the exploration stage.

If the 81 IUPs of exploration have conducted a study, mining entrepreneurs are required to apply for environmental permits before carrying out production activities.

He said the supervision of licensed mines was carried out regularly by coordinating with the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Steps taken such as checking in the field to ensure whether all licensing equipment is met or not.

"This includes checking mining technicalities in the field," he said.

In supervising mining activities during 2024, Herry confirmed that he had imposed sanctions on several companies for not complying with the rules set. For example, the lifting of the IUP in Solok Regency.

"So we are sanctioned because they operate not according to the permit we give," he said.