Authorities over mining activities to be handed over to local administrations
Thursday, July 27 2000 - 04:30 AM WIB
With the issuance of Government Regulation No. 25/2000, all general mining activities, except those on uranium and offshore mining, would be put under the authority of local administrations, and not anymore under the central government.
According to Mahyudin Lubis, head of Riau's mines and energy office, starting November, when PP 25/2000 comes into force, most licensing authority for general mining activities would be given to local administrations
"All licensing authority for general mining activities, except for uranium and offshore minerals over 12 miles from sea shores (will be given to local administrations)," Mahyudin said.
He noted that offshore minerals located up to 4 miles from the shores would be under the regency authority, while those located between 4 miles and 12 miles away from seashores would be under the authority of provincial administrations.
"So, now 99 percent of mining authority lies with local administrations," he said in Pekanbaru.
As for the existing mining companies, Mahyudin said that they would continue to operate under their current contracts of works (COW) signed with the central government. But when the COW expires, they would have to deal with local administrations.
When all mining authorities lie with local administrations, the role of the central government would be in providing standard criteria, standard procedures, giving supervision and supervising local administration's mining policies.
With more power on the mining activities, Mahyudin said that local administrations would be responsible in ensuring the protections of its environment and human rights of the labors and people around the mining areas. (*)