Sudirman said the moratorium planned by President Joko Widodo is workable with the shrinking prices of minerals and declining interest shown by investors.
"Therefore, it is the right time for moratorium and for consolidation," the minister said.
He said consolidation is important that business in the mining industry could be awarded only to serious industrialist with concerns for the environment.
He said there are many cases in the mining sector such as issues of damaged environment that could not be rehabilitated.
However, the president has not given details of the plan for moratorium in the mining sector.
The president spoke of the mining moratorium during his visit to the Thousands Islands off Jakarta on Thursday.
The president said he did not want to see anymore mining concession crossing the borderline of conservation forests.
For that purpose the government would straighten layout problem in the mining sector to keep concession from forest lands.
Moratorium will also be planned in concession license for oil palm plantations.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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