East Kalimantan Provincial Government Monitors 36 Mining Companies Temporarily Stopped

The government has stopped mining activities in West Samboja, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, due to its impact on landslide roads and close proximity to public facilities. BETWEEN THE ANTARA/HO-Doc of the East Kalimantan Energy and Mineral Resources Service

JAKARTA - Mining companies have an important role in the economy of East Kalimantan, but their activities also often pose challenges, ranging from environmental impacts to damage to public infrastructure.

Therefore, monitoring mining activities is crucial to ensure sustainability and compliance with regulations. In this context, local governments are now tightening monitoring of a number of mining companies whose operations are being stopped.

The Department of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) of East Kalimantan Province continues to monitor the development of 36 mining companies in its area whose operations have been temporarily suspended by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, as well as affirming a firm stance on companies whose activities have been proven to damage public facilities.

"Against the 36 companies that have been temporarily suspended by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, we will continue to monitor how they develop," said Head of Mineral and Coal (Minerba) of the East Kalimantan Energy and Mineral Resources Office, Achmad Prannata, in Samarinda, Sunday.

This temporary suspension policy is part of a national step that includes 190 mining companies throughout Indonesia. Of these, 36 companies operate in East Kalimantan and are required to stop their operational activities for 60 days, according to an official circular from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Prannata explained that based on regulations, the authority to foster and supervise the coal sector is in the hands of the central government. However, the East Kalimantan ESDM Office continues to carry out supervision in the field because the company's activities are in the administrative area of the province.

"We continue to coordinate intensively with the central government, with mining inspectors in the regions," he said.

He also emphasized that any developments related to these companies will be openly informed to the public through the mass media.

As a form of local government presence in dealing with mining impacts, Prannata gave an example of the PT Singasurus Pratama case in West Samboja, whose mining activities caused the 100-meter-long main road to be cut off.

"The company's mining activities resulted in the breaking of the main access road for residents along the 100 meters," said Prannata.

The damaged road is a connecting route between several RTs in the affected area, and in addition to roads, mining activities also caused damage to two residents' houses.

Although supervision of PT Singasurus Pratama is under the authority of the central government, the East Kalimantan ESDM Office continues to go directly to conduct field visits.

Head of the East Kalimantan ESDM Agency, Bambang Arwanto, has visited the scene and given a stern warning to the company.

The company, he continued, has expressed its ability to take full responsibility for all the damage caused by its mining activities.