One week into 2026, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has yet to issue approvals for the 2026 Work Plan and Budget (Rencana Kerja dan Anggaran Belanja/RKAB) for mining companies. Director General of Minerals and Coal at the Ministry of ESDM, Tri Winarno, said the delay was due to several revisions. “There are adjustments related to production,” he said on Monday, January 5, 2026.
The Ministry of ESDM issued Circular Letter No. 2.E/HK.03/DJB/2025, which provides regulatory flexibility allowing companies to continue operating until March 31, 2026. Under this policy, production is capped at 25 percent of the total annual plan. This flexibility applies to companies that already hold approval for a three-year RKAB period.
Another requirement is that companies must have submitted their application for approval of the 2026 RKAB but have not yet received approval, and must have placed reclamation guarantees for the 2025 production operation stage.
In addition, companies must have obtained approval to use forest areas for the production operation stage. This applies to holders of mining business permits (IUP), special mining business permits (IUPK), IUPK as a continuation of contract/performance agreements, Contracts of Work (KK), Coal Mining Concession Work Agreements (PKP2B), Mining Business Permit Areas (WIUP), and Special WIUPs.
Speaking to Tempo, Executive Director of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI) Gita Mahyarani said Circular Letter No. 2.E/HK.03/DJB/2025 helps companies continue their operations. However, certainty regarding the issuance of the 2026 RKAB and transparency in evaluation criteria remain crucial. “With certainty and transparency, businesses can plan operations and investments in a more measurable manner,” she said on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Chairman of the Indonesian Mining Professionals Association (Perhapi), Sudirman Widhy Hartono, said the delay in issuing the 2026 RKAB was due to the Ministry of ESDM reintroducing annual RKAB approvals. This change means approvals are no longer granted for a three-year period.
According to Sudirman, delays in issuing the 2026 RKAB are unavoidable given the large number of mining companies operating in Indonesia. He noted that more than 4,000 holders of IUPs, IUPKs, and PKP2Bs require RKAB approval from the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal at the Ministry of ESDM.
Although the government has launched MinerbaOne, a new system intended to expedite RKAB approvals, delays persist. “We have not received information on the cause of the delay in RKAB approvals,” Sudirman said on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
What is clear, he added, is that delays in issuing RKAB approvals affect mining companies’ operational plans. Although the circular letter allowing production of up to 25 percent until March 31, 2026 is acceptable, mining companies still require certainty regarding RKAB approval. “Companies need certainty for operations and investment planning for this year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Mining Association (IMA) Rachmat Makkasau said that the change in the RKAB approval mechanism from three-year to annual approvals reflects a regulatory transition phase for businesses. However, he hopes approvals can proceed quickly in accordance with procedures. “We hope there will be no significant obstacles so that operational continuity can be maintained,” he said.
National Coordinator of Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia, Aryanto Nugroho, said the delay in approving the 2026 RKAB should not be viewed merely as a bureaucratic obstacle. The delay has direct implications for companies’ operations, with the risk that mining production targets may not be met.
On the other hand, Aryanto reminded the government that RKAB approvals should not be issued indiscriminately to meet production targets or to expedite. “The RKAB must continue to function as a filter to ensure that only mining companies that are truly prepared and compliant are allowed to operate,” he said.
To prevent prolonged delays in RKAB issuance, PWYP Indonesia recommends that the government strengthen regulations by finalizing the implementing regulations of the Mineral and Coal Mining Law and enhancing digital systems to enable public monitoring of RKAB issuance progress. “The public and companies must know which requirements have not been fulfilled so that there is no room for under-the-table negotiations,” Aryanto said.
Source: Tempo