Palu, Indonesia — A number of civil society organizations under the Working Group of the Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia Coalition for the Sulawesi–Papua Region have called for urgent national and local policies to establish a moratorium on mineral and coal mining permits. The call emerged during a media discussion titled “The Urgency of a Mining Permit Moratorium: Strengthening Mineral and Coal Governance from the East”, held in hybrid format in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on October 11, 2025.
Concerns are rising that mineral and coal (minerba) exploitation will become even more extensive following the enactment of Law No. 2 of 2025 (the Fourth Amendment to Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining). This is further reinforced by Government Regulation (PP) No. 39 of 2025, which expands access to mining permits for cooperatives, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), regional-owned enterprises (BUMD), and private companies for various purposes, including downstream development and value addition.
However, mining activities to date have caused more harm than benefit—exacerbating environmental degradation, social conflict, and economic inequality. Amid Indonesia’s commitments to climate goals and energy transition, civil society groups argue that imposing a moratorium on new mining permits is far more urgent than opening new concessions.
PWYP Indonesia researcher Ariyansah Kiliu emphasized that the priority now is not to expand mining operations, but to implement a moratorium. He pointed out that coal production has far exceeded the national energy plan’s target—reaching 800 million tons in 2024, double the 400-million-ton cap set in the National Energy General Plan (RUEN) under Presidential Regulation No. 22 of 2017. “Mining activities have already exceeded the carrying capacity of land and ecosystems, while nickel mining has become a major new driver of deforestation,” he said.
He also noted that poor governance in the sector—such as unfulfilled reclamation guarantees, abandoned mining pits, rampant illegal mining, corruption, human rights violations, and weak enforcement—further underscores the need for a moratorium.
In Central Sulawesi, the Kompas Peduli Hutan Foundation (KoMIU) found that mining investments have failed to bring significant economic benefits to local communities. “Instead, they have led to social conflicts, road damage, flooding, water crises, deforestation, and biodiversity loss,” said Ufudin from KoMIU. He urged the central government to immediately impose a moratorium on all metal mining permits nationwide.
Sunardi Katili, Director of WALHI Central Sulawesi, echoed the call, stating that worsening ecological destruction and human rights violations demand an immediate halt to new mining permits.
From South Sulawesi, Rosniaty Panguriseng, Executive Director of YASMIB Sulawesi, said that the moratorium aligns with the province’s long-term development plan and Indonesia’s green economy transition. “The moratorium is not an anti-investment move—it is a corrective step to ensure development does not trade public welfare for environmental destruction,” she affirmed.
In Southeast Sulawesi, Solihin, Director of LePMIL, highlighted the deep-rooted governance problems in the mining sector—from licensing and state revenues to social and cultural impacts on Indigenous communities. “This environmental and social emergency demands concrete action. The state must immediately implement a mining moratorium across Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua,” he said.
From Papua, Risdianto, Director of PERDU Papua, stressed the need for a moratorium in regions such as Raja Ampat, Manokwari, the Arfak Mountains, and Tambrauw, where mining pressures are mounting. “The moratorium is essential to protect Indigenous rights and ensure ecological sustainability. Both central and local governments must develop legal and institutional frameworks to make mining governance fair and environmentally sound,” he said.
Contact Persons:
- PWYP Indonesia: Ariyansah Kiliu – +62 822 5101 6033
- KoMIU: Ufudin – +62 812 3223 4322
- YASMIB Sulawesi: Rosniaty Panguriseng – +62 812 4136 6679
- LePMIL Sultra: Solihin – +62 823 4532 8134
- PERDU Papua: Risdianto – +62 812 4894 070
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