"We formed a task force from related parties to break the chain of mining activities in the IKN area," OIKN's Deputy for Environment and Natural Resources, Myrna Asnawati Safitri, stated on Friday.
According to Safitri, the central government would not issue new permits and extend or increase the status of existing mining permits in locations near IKN.
Based on the spatial policy for the IKN Nusantara development plan, her side created a policy for a moratorium on the issuance of mining permits in IKN.
She noted that active legal mining will be monitored strictly, and the company should fulfill its responsibilities after its mining activities.
In addition, the OIKN will strengthen the organizational structure and main duties of the task force along with data collection since some mining companies are still operating in IKN, Safitri remarked.
"For the task force, we will be dividing working groups and will add personnel and prepare work plans," she remarked.
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The task force formed by OIKN will carry out efforts to prevent and deal with illegal mining activities, she stated.
According to Safitri, the task force comprised personnel from OIKN, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, East Kalimantan Regional Police, Regional Military command VI Mulawarman, East Kalimantan High Prosecutor's Office, and related agencies of the East Kalimantan provincial government.
She pointed out that mining activities are not in line with the concept of IKN development that plans to build a forest city.
"Currently, illegal mining activities are spread through 3,000 hectares of land in the development area of IKN at Kutai Kartanegara District. In addition, there are 77 expired mining business permits (IUP) and 61 active IUPs in the region," she stated.
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Translator: Nyaman Bagus P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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