Mining Policy Breakthrough Needed

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The people need a breakthrough in mining regulations and policies that will permit artisanal and small-scale mines (ASMs) to operate as legal entities. Without legality, unauthorized mining and illegal mining practices will continue, and the use of mercury, which is harmful to the environment, will become increasingly difficult to control.

There are currently 850 artisanal and small-scale gold mines (ASGMs) operating across 197 districts/cities in 32 provinces. The mines are all illegal, and most of them use mercury to extract gold.

"A breakthrough is needed in regional licensing, so that [artisanal miners] can be legalized in operating their gold mining businesses," Dadan Kusdiana, the public relations and cooperation head at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, said on Wednesday (15/11) in Jakarta.