MEMR to recruit more mining inspectors

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) said it will bolster the number of mining inspectors in a bid to improve supervision of the country?s mining sector to help ensure better governance.

MEMR Spokesman Sujatmikno said in a statement obtained Tuesday that currently there are only 166 mining inspectors under the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal?s directorate of technical and environment. In addition, 1,050 have passed training and education to become mining inspectors, whose role includes supervision of the mining industry in terms of technical aspect, resources conservation, health and mining safety, and environmental management.

He said that the mining inspectors must oversee nearly 6,500 mining firms in the country including coal and mineral.

The ideal ratio of mining supervisor to mining companies is 1:7 to 1:5, depending on geographical condition and accessibility. As such the number of mining inspectors in the country is still far from ideal, the statement said. ?We need to recruit some 834-1,134 of new mining inspectors,? Sujatmiko said, adding that there at least 718 government employees in the regions who have expressed interest to become mining inspectors.

Total budget including for operation and salary of mining inspectors next year is projected to reach Rp 230 billion, the ministry statement said.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak