By: Juanda Syah)*
The warning continues to demonstrate decisiveness in cracking down on illegal mining practices that remain rampant in various regions of Indonesia. Through measured steps across ministries and institutions, efforts to eradicate unlicensed mining activities are now a priority to maintain the sustainability of natural resources while ensuring that state revenues are not leaked.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is at the forefront of monitoring mining activities in Indonesia. The Director General of Law Enforcement (Dirjen Gakkum) at the Ministry of ESDM, Rilke Jeffri Huwae, stated that illegal mining practices in Indonesia generally fall into two categories. First, illegal mining activities (PETI) are carried out without any legal basis. Second, mining practices that operate within mining business permit areas (WIUP) but deviate from applicable regulations.
Rilke explained that the first type of illegal mining is often found in the gold mining sector, which is carried out traditionally without official permits. The second type is more complex because it is often deeply rooted in the socio-economic life of local communities. This is where mining activities have become part of local culture. This situation requires a comprehensive social and economic approach, not just enforcement.
The government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), is now focusing not only on law enforcement but also on finding solutions to ensure that entrenched community activities can be legally regulated and benefit the state. Rilke emphasized that the government’s new approach is aimed at restructuring the artisanal mining trade system so that it is legally recognized. This way, communities can continue to earn a living, while the state receives revenue through taxes and royalties.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is finalizing the concept of the Mineral Benchmark Price (HPM) as an instrument to balance the competitiveness between legal and illegal mining. Through this policy, it is hoped that legally operating mines can compete with black market prices, while ensuring optimal state revenue from the mineral sector.
The government’s concrete steps to curb illegal mining have received widespread support from various parties, including Sudirman Widhy Hartono, Chairman of the Indonesian Mining Experts Association (PERHAPI), who stated that President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership has opened a new chapter in law enforcement in the mining sector, particularly minerals and coal.
According to Sudirman, the establishment of the Illegal Mining and Forest Area Eradication Task Force is a strong signal that the government is serious about taking action against those who destroy natural resources. The President’s initiative to directly highlight the issue of illegal mining at the MPR Annual Session is a crucial step demonstrating the highest political commitment to environmental law enforcement.
Sudirman explained that illegal mining practices are not a new phenomenon. Such activities have existed since colonial times and have flourished since the reform era. Technological advances and easy access to heavy equipment such as excavators and trucks have led to an increase in illegal mining activity, not only in the gold and tin sectors, but also in coal, nickel, and bauxite.
Government data shows more than 2,000 illegal mining sites spread across Indonesia. This situation illustrates the significant challenge the government faces in curbing unauthorized mining activities. For PERHAPI, this phenomenon is not simply a violation of the law, but has become a systemic theft of natural resources across regions and commodities.
As a professional organization representing mining experts, PERHAPI actively supports the government’s agenda to eradicate illegal mining. Sudirman stated that his office has collaborated with the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri) and several High Prosecutors’ Offices in Kalimantan to provide technical support in investigating illegal mining cases. This support includes calculating estimated lost reserves, potential state losses, and the resulting ecological impacts. All data is compiled based on accurate geological studies to ensure an objective and transparent legal process.
PERHAPI also reaffirmed its commitment to being a strategic partner for the government in reforming national mining governance. Collaboration between technical institutions, law enforcement officials, and the community is considered crucial for effective law enforcement without causing social unrest.
As a follow-up, Sudirman is promoting a partnership scheme between local communities and authorized mining companies. Through this model, communities can be involved in supporting activities such as security services, logistics, or hauling of mining products. This approach not only curbs illegal practices but also creates new job opportunities for surrounding communities.mining.
These strategic steps taken by the government and the mining professional world are expected to create an orderly, sustainable, and equitable mining ecosystem. Efforts to crack down on illegal mining are also accompanied by improvements to a more transparent governance system, from permit issuance and production monitoring to distribution of mining products.
In addition to increasing state revenue, the policy of curbing illegal mining also has the potential to strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global strategic mineral market. With better governance, Indonesia can ensure that its natural resources are managed for the greatest prosperity of the people without damaging the environment.
The government’s assertiveness in cracking down on illegal mining practices in several regions is clear evidence that reforms in the mining sector are underway. With strong synergy between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, PERHAPI (Indonesian Mining Association), law enforcement officials, and the community, the direction of development in the mining sector in Indonesia is now moving towards a more orderly, equitable, and sustainable future.
 
)* The author is a student from Jakarta living in Bandung
