"We are working on a project centered on mining cooperatives in West Lombok. Note that it is not about agriculture, but mining," BP Taskin head Budiman Sudjatmiko said at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday.
The initiative is intended to empower economically disadvantaged residents and curb the illegal mining that is prevalent in the district.
On the same occasion, BP Taskin deputy head I, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, said the agency is collaborating with the West Lombok district government and local law enforcement to implement the empowerment project.
She noted that each of the 60 village cooperatives is expected to have 500 members, consisting of jobless residents or former illegal miners.
"Each cooperative has around 500 members, who will secure a monthly income ranging between Rp2.5 million and Rp3 million (US$186), exceeding West Lombok's regional minimum wage," Deyang said.
Based on this projection, village cooperatives could generate roughly 30,000 jobs through legitimate mining activities.
Deyang also highlighted that gold mining sites in Sekotong, West Lombok, have long been exploited by foreign companies. To redirect the mines' wealth toward improving local welfare, the government has begun the process of obtaining permits for village cooperatives to manage the sites.
She expressed hope that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will support and help expedite the process.
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Translator: Tri M, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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