Banda Aceh, Indonesia — A coalition of civil society organizations under the Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia Regional Sumatra network has voiced an urgent call for a moratorium on mining permits.
This call was publicly delivered during a media discussion titled *“The Urgency of a Mining Permit Moratorium: Strengthening Oversight of Mining Governance and Curbing Illegal Mining in Sumatra Island,”* held in a hybrid format from Banda Aceh, Aceh Province, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
The PWYP Indonesia Regional Coalition views Sumatra as one of Indonesia’s richest regions in natural resources, particularly in the mining sector such as coal.
According to data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), about one-third of Indonesia’s national coal reserves are located in Sumatra—amounting to 11,866.66 million tons, or 37.34% of the national total.
However, mining activities on the island have not been matched by adequate supervision. As a result, mining operations have triggered ecological crises and widespread economic and social impacts. Illegal mining remains rampant across various areas, reflecting weak governance.
In Aceh, the Head of Public Policy Division at GeRAK Aceh, Fernan, highlighted the persistence of corrupt and unjust mining governance. “Regional revenues from mining profit-sharing are disproportionate to the negative impacts suffered by communities. Dependence on commodity prices and centralized policies makes regional finances vulnerable,” he said.
He also underscored environmental degradation and social conflicts, such as marine pollution from coal spills in Aceh and Nagan Raya Regencies since 2017, which have disrupted coastal ecosystems. Fernan added that a mining moratorium in Aceh is urgent to reform natural resource governance. “Mining should align with the constitution, but we must ensure that natural resources do not become a curse. A moratorium guarantees fair and corruption-free management,” he stated.
Meanwhile, a member of the Working Body of MaTA Aceh, Munawir, criticized the mining sector’s failure to make a significant fiscal contribution. “Many companies evade taxes, while ecological losses are massive. A moratorium and comprehensive evaluation of all Mining Business Permits (IUP) are not optional—they are necessary to stop violations and ensure justice for the people of Aceh,” he emphasized.
In Riau, the government is deemed unserious in transitioning away from fossil fuel dependency. Large-scale mining activities have led to deforestation, environmental pollution, and the dispossession of community lands. WALHI Riau called for a moratorium as a governance reform measure, coupled with law enforcement.
Ahlul Fadli, Campaign and Climate Justice Mainstreaming Manager at WALHI Riau, stated: “National and regional moratoria are needed to counter corporate hegemony. Permits are often issued without justice, transparency, or public participation. The moratorium must be grounded in legal, environmental, and social audits to identify violations such as land conflicts and ecosystem damage.”
Deputy Chairperson of the Riau Public Leaders Communication Forum (FKPMR), Muhammad Herwan, added: “Natural resource wealth should enhance welfare, but in reality, it deepens poverty and inequality. A moratorium is a turning point toward efficient, effective, and sustainable management—requiring careful planning, strict monitoring, post-mining reclamation, and firm law enforcement.”
Director of the Institute for Empowerment and Democratic Action (LPAD) Riau, Ikhsan Fitra, stressed that natural resources in Riau have yet to contribute optimally to regional income. “A moratorium is essential for justice and regional autonomy strengthening, helping regions address budget deficits creatively,” he said.
FITRA Riau Coordinator, Tarmidzi, asserted the urgency of a national moratorium for a comprehensive review of mining malpractice. “Negative externalities—such as irreversible environmental damage, social conflict, and systemic corruption—threaten future generations. The government must stop issuing new permits, conduct forensic audits, and involve civil society in governance reform,” he declared.
In Bengkulu, mining operations have exemplified the government’s failure to protect ecosystems. Director of AKAR Bengkulu, Erwin Basrin, said: “Mining destroys the environment and strips Indigenous communities of their rights. A moratorium is not optional—it is an ethical and constitutional imperative to stop destruction and ensure justice. The government must halt new permits and revoke problematic ones.”
The PWYP Indonesia Regional Sumatra Coalition urges national and local governments to immediately implement a moratorium, evaluate all Mining Business Permits (IUP), and reform mining governance to ensure sustainable resource management across Sumatra Island!
Contacts:
GeRAK Aceh – Fernan (+62 812 7425 0152)
MaTA Aceh – Munawir (+62 822 1349 4443)
WALHI Riau – Ahlul Fadli (+62 853 3339 2091)
FITRA Riau – Tarmidzi (+62 852 7817 5515)
LPAD Riau – Ikhsan Fitra (+62 821 3639 0456)
FKPMR – Muhammad Herwan (+62 812 7516 374)
AKAR Bengkulu – Erwin Basrin (+62 813 6740 1020)