3.7 Million People Work In Illegal Mines, The Trigger Is Because Of Economic Urgency

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Mining Inspector Associate Expert of the Engineering and Environmental Mineral and Coal Directorate of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM Antonius Agung Setijawan) said around 3.7 million people work at mining sites without permits (PETI) or illegal mines.

This is based on the factor of limited employment opportunities.

"The numbers are divided into 96 coal mines and 2,645 mineral mines," he said in a statement to the media, Tuesday, August 23.

Antonius explained a series of factors that underlie the rise of illegal mining activities. The first factor is economic pressure.

This is also driven by the absence of educational requirements and instant profit results due to high commodity prices, making people fall into illegal miners.

Not only that, he said, mining activities without a permit have the potential to damage the environment.

In some places, he said, it caused a lot of river silting which then reduced the fertility of the soil which eventually caused the danger of flooding.

"Generally, with mining activities without a permit, the environment becomes vulnerable to security disturbances," he said.

According to him, illegal mining activities must be eradicated completely by involving all elements of society, the central government, local governments, and also the police.

Not only to enforce regulations, but also to get more optimal state revenue.

Mining law observer Ahmad Redi revealed that there are many activities at mining points without permits in the mineral and coal sector, but the value of losses is more massive in coal.

The ones who are harmed, apart from legal mining companies, are the government, but also the community because the surrounding environment is damaged.

"PETI is not only detrimental to miners, but also the state and society," he added.

Meanwhile, the Director of Certain Crimes at the National Police Bareskrim (Tipidter), Brigadier General Pipit Rismanto, explained that currently there is coordination and data synchronization between the police and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources for several mining commodities.

"This illegal mining is not only a violation of the Minerba Law, but also the Manpower Law related to OHS, the environmental law, until there is an abuse of subsidized fuel," said Pipit.

The problem of illegal mining which is very complex, according to him, cannot be solved on its own.

"There is a need for developing and sustainable regulatory arrangements that are able to support the regional and national economy, coordination between institutions and synergy must also be improved," he added.

Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Mining Experts (Perhap) Rizal Kasli said the government needs to enforce rules or law enforcement related to illegal mining, especially directly targeting investors and backers who take a lot of profits.

"This illegal illegal mining includes avoidance of taxes and other levies, so it is necessary to form a special task force for the eradication of PETI which is directly responsible to the president and vice president," he concluded.