IAGI calls on government to drop mining permit ?moratorium?

The Indonesian Geologists Association (IAGI) called on the government to revoke the recent ?moratorium? policy in the issuance of new IUP mining permits as part of efforts to help push new exploration activities to secure future reserves.

IAGI Chairman Sukmandaru said in a statement issued on Tuesday following the opening of the IAGI annual scientific conference in Bandung, West Java, the association proposed a number of ?quick win? solutions to help resolve the problems in the coal and mineral mining sectors in the country including a suggestion for the government to revoke the mining IUP permit moratorium.

President Joko Widodo issued in April a presidential instruction on the moratorium of new permits for the opening up of new mining and oil palm concessions as part of efforts to help protect the environment.

IAGI has also made a number of other suggestions including better efficiency in the issuance of mining permits through synergy among ministries by setting up a one door system for the issuance of mining permits, and better access of data.

The association also proposed for the government to improve fiscal policies for the mining sector such by providing incentives for exploration activities including tax breaks/holiday; relax the current export ban on mineral ores particularly low grade ores; and for the government to promote the country?s unconventional exploration targets.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak