In the long term, it must be determined what will happen after the mining activities are completed.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has emphasized the importance of planning in the mining sector to ensure environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

"So, the key to a mine is a plan. Once there is no plan, we can say that the mine does not comply with good mining principles," intermediate mining inspector/Minerba civil servant investigation coordinator (PPNS) Sulistiyohadi said.

He made the remarks during an online discussion on "Identifying the Role of Private Sector in Community Socioeconomic Empowerment," which was followed from Jakarta on Wednesday.

Sulistiyohadi said that mining is a form of extractive activity, which temporarily damages nature and the environment.

However, the most important thing in mining activities is to meet mining safety requirements, including environmental management and monitoring through reclamation or post-mining activities.

Holders of mining business permits (IUP) and special mining business permits (IUPK) are required to prepare and submit reclamation plans and/or post-mining plans.

Reclamation must ensure a balance between the land that will be cleared and the land that will be reclaimed, or manage the final ex-mining hole with the widest limits, in accordance with statutory regulations prescribed by Law Number 3 of 2020.

"In the long term, it must be determined what will happen after the mining activities are completed. This is a technical requirement that requires a long-term plan," he said.

Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of planned mining by involving local governments, including in reclamation activities, so that the mining business stages can help reorganize, restore, and improve the environment's quality and the ecosystem so that they can function again according to their intended purpose.

Also, post-mining activities that are planned and systematic, and ongoing activities after the end of some or all mining business activities must help restore environmental functions and social functions depending on the local conditions in the mining area.

"Reclamation is more of a technical effort, but post-mining also includes restoring the social functions of communities in mining areas," he said.

As per the ESDM Ministry's records, ex-mining land reclamation covered an area of 7,920.77 hectares (ha) in 2023. Thus, the realization of mining land reclamation exceeded the target of 7,075 hectares by 111.95 percent.

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Translator: Adimas Raditya Fahky P, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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