Civil society organizations have called for a moratorium on mineral and coal mining permits from Sulawesi to Papua, citing worsening environmental impacts.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PALU, – Organisasi masyarakat sipil dari Sulawesi hingga Papua menyerukan moratorium izin tambang mineral dan batubara. Seruan ini disampaikan dalam diskusi bertajuk urgensi moratorium izin tambang di Palu, Sabtu, yang diinisiasi oleh Koalisi Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia Regional Sulawesi–Papua.
Peneliti PWYP Indonesia, Ariyansah Kiliu, menjelaskan bahwa komitmen Indonesia dalam Perjanjian Paris seharusnya menjadi dasar untuk mengurangi aktivitas pertambangan, terutama batubara. Produksi batubara sudah jauh melampaui batas 400 juta ton per tahun, sebagaimana ditetapkan dalam RUEN, dan diproyeksikan mencapai 800 juta ton pada 2024.
This call emerged amid the surge in mining exploitation following the enactment of Law No. 2 of 2025, which amends Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining (the Mining Law), and is reinforced by Government Regulation (PP) No. 39 of 2025. These policies open broader opportunities for various entities to obtain mining permits.
Mining Issues in Sulawesi
In Central Sulawesi, the Kompas Peduli Hutan Foundation (KoMIU) argued that mining activities have not brought significant economic benefits to local communities. Ufudin from KoMIU said that instead, they have triggered social conflicts, infrastructure damage, flooding, deforestation, and clean water crises. He urged the central government to consider a nationwide moratorium on mining permits.
The Director of WALHI Central Sulawesi, Sunardi Katili, stressed that a moratorium is crucial as ecological destruction and human rights violations caused by mining have worsened.
Support from Other Regions
In South Sulawesi, the Executive Director of YASMIB Sulawesi, Rosniaty Panguriseng, said that a moratorium is highly relevant to regional development priorities and the national commitment toward a green economy.
“A moratorium is not an anti-investment measure; it is an effort to improve governance so that development does not exchange people’s welfare for environmental degradation,” she said.
Support also came from LePMIL Southeast Sulawesi. Its Director, Solihin, highlighted problems in mining governance, from licensing and state revenue to impacts on Indigenous peoples and the environment.
Urgent Situation in Papua
In Papua, the Director of PERDU Papua, Risdianto, underscored the importance of a mining permit moratorium in West Papua and surrounding areas. He pointed to mining cases in Raja Ampat and Manokwari as evidence of a critical situation.
“A moratorium is needed to ensure the recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights and environmental sustainability,” he said.
Source: Republika