Government prepares mining law draft

The government said Friday it was drafting the new mining law, which is expected to address various uncertainties besetting the country's mining industry following the implementation of the regional autonomy laws.

Director general of geology and mineral resources at the ministry of energy and mineral resources Wimpy S. Tjetjep told Petromindo in an interview that the draft law was currently being discussed in the team consisting of officials from related ministries.

Wimpy said once the team finished making the draft law, it will be handed over to all the ministries involved in the making of the draft law for further study before being submitted to the state secretariat for final approval.

After it is approved by the state secretariat, the ministry of energy and mineral resources will submit the draft to the House of Representative for deliberation.

A source in the ministry said it might take several months before the drafting of the law is finished and handed over to state secretariat. It may take another few months for the state secretariat to examine the draft law before the agency gives its approval and submit the draft law to the House. (Alex/Godang)