Green activists criticize proposed regulation on mine reclamation

Environmental activists from a number of non-governmental organizations such as Jatam, Walhi, LKMTL and ICEL have strongly criticized the draft regulation on reclamation of mining areas, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Saturday.

Dede Nurdin Sadat, a senior executive of the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL) said in Jakarta that the proposed regulation was against the policy of the country’s natural resources development such as those stated in the ruling of the People’s Advisory Council+ (MPR).

“The process of the drafting of the regulation was also not transparent. The proposed regulation was only based on compromise between the ministry of energy and mineral resources and mine operators,” he said.

According to him, the proposed regulation only covered the physical aspect of mining operation such as the reclamation of old and ex-mining areas and the compensation a mining company has to pay. “Social, cultural and economic aspects of the mining operation have been totally ignored,” he said.

Siti Maimunah, the coordinator of National Networks of the Mining Advisory (JATAM), said that besides containing many loopholes, the proposed regulation also open opportunities for corruption and collusion practices.

The fact that the proposed regulation did not provide any concrete amount of compensation that has to be paid by a mining company obviously created loopholes for corruption and collusion.

“A mining company is obliged to pay compensation based on its financial capability. This will certainly create opportunities for corruption,” she said. (*)