Mining activity in Indonesia has become one of the most significant sectors that contributes to the country’s GDP. Talk about this field; we will always go to the topic of mining in West Papua topic. It’s a common topic in Indonesia because West Papua has enormous potential for mining activity. They make a significant contribution to the economic field of Indonesia.
Mining in West Papua
We all know that West Papua is a prosperous land. There are many mining sites in West Papua that government companies or private companies have chosen. This fact makes West Papua one of the great lands that significantly contribute to Indonesia’s economic development.
In West Papua, you will find there are several sites and mining companies that are situated in that area. One of the most famous is freeport, one of the biggest copper mines in the world. This is good for Indonesia because mining activity gives us a significant advantage. But on the other hand, there are exploitation issues that make the people in West Papua feel disappointed.
The dozens of mining sites in West Papua caused the natural problem. That’s why the Indonesian government should issue a regulation to help this mining activity, not increase the genuine concern in West Papua. Let’s discuss the complete guide and rules of mining in West Papua!
Complete Mining Guide
There is a complicated process until you have a legal license for mining in Indonesia, especially in West Papua. Here we will make it simpler so you can understand it more leisurely. Below is the leading guide to mining licenses in West Papua:
- Make sure that it’s a business in non-oil or gas mining activity.
- The company should determine whether the action is non-core or core.
- The miners should run a PT PMA company and work closely with the country’s Investment Coordination Board.
- Please gather all of the required documents before you ask for the license.
- Choose what type of licence you need for mining activity (there are IUJP or Izin Usaha Jasa Pertambangan and SKT or Surat Keterangan Terdaftar).
- Please ensure you’ve gone through the tendering process (this will determine if you have a right over the mining site).
Regulation of Mining Activity in West Papua
The government has released a regulation for every company conducting mining activity in this area. The mining industry is regulated by the Mining Law, Law on Mineral and Coal Mining Number 4 of 2009. All of those law has become the guide for all mining companies. All the companies should read and delve into the regulation to avoid problems in the future.
The regulation is a framework for management. Also, it will control the industry so the government can minimize the natural damage and other risks. One of the biggest reasons the government released this regulation is to protect the national interest, primarily since the mining materials are defined as non-renewable resources.
Note that this regulation also manages the export activity from the mining company. The companies should meet a specific purity level for the minerals before exporting them to the other country. The percentage of minerals that can be exported is very dependent on the minerals. Eventually, the government also has a more accessible rule for the companies. In some conditions, they can still export unprocessed minerals.
Mining in West Papua has become an everyday activity but still has strict regulations to protect the national interest. In the future, we hope the mining sites could be more excellent and still protected well. With the government, all people in Indonesia should care about this and watch the mining site together as it’s the national treasure.
