Jambi revokes 158 coal mining permits

A total of 158 IUP coal mining permits in Jambi Province have been revoked due to a number of violations by the mining firms including failure to pay royalty properly, did not submit coal production report, damaging the environment, and operating not in line with the environment impact assessment (or Amdal) guideline, Kompas reported on Monday.

The paper added that 30 coal mining companies in the province have also been suspended.

The paper quoted Head of the Provincial Mining Office, Salam Lubis, as saying that the move to revoke the mining permits of delinquent miners has been made since May of this year following recommendation from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

He added that the 158 IUP coal mining permits cover more than 400,000 hectares of coal concessions spread in Bungo, Merangin, Tebo, and Sarolangun regencies.

?There are 50 other IUPs which are likely to be also revoked,? Salam said.

Kompas has previously reported that of the nearly 400 IUP coal miners, about 341 had failed to properly pay non-tax obligations to the state during 2011-2013, causing about Rp 13 billion in losses to the state. (*)