Ministry to decide fate of non-C&C miners next week

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will decide next week the fate of mining companies holding the IUP mining business license which have failed to meet the so-called clean and clear (C&C) status by the June 2015 deadline, said Director General of Mineral and Coal Bambang Gatot Ariyono.

He said on Tuesday that the ministry will meet with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Directorate General of Taxation to discuss the issue.

Of the 10,543 IUP miners, only 6,174 have met the required C&C status, which means that the miners have among others paid financial obligations to the state properly, following existing regulations, and that their permits are not overlapping with other concessions or forest areas.

There are two likely options to be taken by the government including revoking the IUPs of non-complying miners, or giving them limited C&C status after fulfilling certain requirements. (*)