ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia on Thursday (December 4), conveyed his readiness to revoke the IUPs of mining companies proven to have violated regulations.
"If there are any mines or IUPs operating in violation of applicable rules and regulations, we will impose strict sanctions," he spoke to reporters after meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Palace.
Lahadalia explained that the inspection and evaluation are still ongoing for Aceh and North Sumatra. He also confirmed that the flash floods in West Sumatra were not caused by mining.
"There's no such thing in West Sumatra. In Aceh, we're still checking, and in North Sumatra, our team is conducting an evaluation," the minister continued.
Along with the inspection, he also mentioned that the Martabe gold mine in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, was not operating after the disaster.
"They did not operate. I asked them to assist in the disaster emergency response for the affected community," he remarked.
He then said he had personally inspected the Martabe gold mine in South Tapanuli after the disaster.
"Yesterday, I also visited the Martabe gold mine. There are three rivers. There are three large ones, and the one affected by the flooding is medium-sized. The one in Martabe is the smallest. The mining team is still evaluating. Our team is also reviewing the situation. Once it is completed, we will make a decision," Lahadalia explained.
Flash floods hit Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that as of November 4, 2025, the death toll from flash floods and landslides in Sumatra reached 836 as of Wednesday, while 518 people were still missing.
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Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi/Fathur Rochman, Resinta Sulist
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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