INDONESIA – Mining in forests

The Indonesian government will amend regulations to enable mining to be carried out in protected forest areas.
The decision by the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy follows concern expressed by industry bodies and mining companies that prohibition of mining in protected forests could cost billions of dollars and impact on the country’s economy.
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources’ director general of coal, mineral and geothermal, Bambang Setiawan, says that the amended regulation will allow mining operations to be conducted in protected forests under leasehold mechanism in accordance with the Forestry Law No. 41/2009.
He says all miners will be able to apply for leasehold permits from the Ministry of Forestry. Once they obtain the permits, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will be able to issue mining permits.

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