Banten Provincial Government to Close Illegal Mines Next Week

Head of the Banten Province Energy and Mineral Resources Office, Ari James Faraddy. (ANTARA/Devi Nindy)

SERANG - The Banten Provincial Government has confirmed that it will again close illegal mines that are scattered in a number of areas starting Monday (12/1), as part of steps to control environmental damage and enforce mining governance.

Head of the Banten Province Energy and Mineral Resources Office, Ari James Faraddy, said the order was included in the agenda of the integrated task force across agencies involving regional organizations and law enforcement officers.

"If the illegal ones are definitely on our agenda. Monday we will probably start to some areas that we have monitored with the task force friends," said Ari in Serang City, Thursday, January 8, reported by ANTARA.

According to him, in addition to closing illegal mines, the task force will also conduct training and evaluation of mining companies that operate legally. Currently, 156 companies have entered the production operation phase and all of them will be checked for compliance.

"We examine four aspects, namely the region, administration, engineering and environment, and finances related to paying taxes," he said.

Meanwhile, Banten Provincial Secretary Deden Apriandhi said that based on provisional data, there were around 43 illegal mining points that had been identified in various regions in Banten. The number is still dynamic and has the potential to increase as the field verification process continues.

"Wait for the movement from us. Later I will invite friends, about 43 illegal people in the province based on provisional data. We have coordinated with the law enforcement, then wait for the follow-up. In the near future," said Deden.

He ensured that the Ciwandan area was one of the priority locations for enforcement. In fact, the number of illegal mines in the area is estimated to be more than two points.

"Yes, including that (in Ciwandan), it must be more than two," he said.

Deden emphasized that the order was not only targeting illegal mines. Mining companies that have permits but do not follow up on warnings and repair obligations will also be subject to sanctions in accordance with the provisions.

"But we also do not only punish those who are illegal, those who are legal have also been warned many times but have not been followed up," he said.

The Banten Provincial Government considers the steps to close illegal mines and strict supervision of legal mines to be important to reduce the risk of flooding and environmental damage, as well as to ensure that mining activities are carried out in accordance with regulations and contribute to public safety.