Minister asks House to allow mining on protected forests, revise environment law

State Minister of Environment Nabiel Makarim on Thursday called on the House of Representatives (DPR) to accept recommendations that mining concession holders be allowed to resume their projects in protected forest areas.

While allowing the mining investors to reopen their projects, DPR and the government could start amending Law No. 41/1999 which bans open pit mining on protected forests, the minister said.

?Admittedly, this is a difficult option,? Nabiel told reporters after attending a hearing with DPR?s Commission VIII in charge of energy and mineral resources.

The hearing followed a series of negotiations between a group of legislators from Commission VIII and Commission III which deals with environmental affairs, and cabinet ministers, to find possible legal breakthroughs for investors affected by Law No. 41/1999 to proceed with their mining programs.

Minister of Forestry M. Prakosa, who enforced the law this year, had turned down suggestions to allow miners, including those who had obtained licenses before the law issuance, to open projects in protected forest areas pending the law revision. The state ministry of environment and the ministry of energy and mineral resources had suggested that mining investors obtaining licenses before the issuance of the law be allowed to resume their mining activities.

The government had licensed 150 mining projects in protected and conservation forest areas in different parts of the country prior to the issuance of Law No. 41/1999. The projects might be suspended if the law is not amended. (Godang)