Jakarta, October 18, 2025 – Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia highlighted the various governance challenges in the mineral and coal mining (minerba) sector to prevent it from becoming a “resource curse.” This message was conveyed by Aryanto Nugroho, National Coordinator of PWYP Indonesia, during one of the sessions at the Minerba Convention and Exhibition (Minerba Convex) 2025, organized by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) on October 15–16, 2025, at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC).
Minerba Convex 2025, themed “Driving Sustainable Growth Through Innovation and Collaboration,” featured panel discussions, technology exhibitions, and educational activities. PWYP Indonesia, however, emphasized that despite the event’s theme of synergy and sustainability, real conditions in the field remain fraught with vulnerabilities and inequalities.
In the session titled “Mining Contributions to National and Regional Development,” moderated by Rosalyn Wullandhary from the Indonesian Society of Economic Geology (MGEI), Aryanto served as a discussant alongside speakers including Harwendro Adityo Dewanto, Chair of AETI; Muhammad Toha; Albert Saputro, GM Compliance of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk; and Harry Kesuma Tanoto, President Director of PT Cita Mineral Investindo Tbk. Other respondents included Totoh Abdul Fattah from the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal (DGMC) ESDM, Maria Yuliana Benyamin from Bisnis Indonesia, and Yazid Kanca Surya, President Director of Jakarta Future Exchange.
Aryanto shared PWYP Indonesia’s reflections on the development of mining governance in Indonesia over the past decade. “Almost every week, we see news and reports exposing poor governance across the mining value chain—from illegal mining and smelters to weak regulations. Where do affected communities stand in all this? This industry risks becoming a curse if it fails to prioritize socio-ecological justice,” he stated.
He acknowledged opportunities such as the increase in local revenue (PAD) and downstream industrialization, but pointed out that the main challenges include supply and quality uncertainties, violations of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and human rights (HR) principles, lack of inclusivity, and weak post-mining risk mitigation, particularly inadequate reclamation guarantees and post-mining funds.
Aryanto further criticized the limited role of local governments in the post-reform decentralization era. “Regional authorities’ powers in mining management often conflict with sectoral laws, while fiscal policies like the Fiscal Relations Law (HKPD) remain suboptimal. Without strong guidance, oversight, and public participation, mining contributions will only enrich a few, while local communities continue to face risks,” he added.
PWYP Indonesia also underscored the importance of public transparency, referencing the implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which Indonesia has been part of since 2010. However, the coalition pointed out persistent issues such as low compliance among mining companies in reporting, long reporting delays (up to Y+2), and weak coordination between central and regional authorities.
As a coalition of 31 civil society organizations (CSOs), PWYP Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to promoting democratic and inclusive governance in the energy and natural resource sectors. Participation in Minerba Convex 2025, it emphasized, should serve as a momentum for reform, ensuring mining becomes not a source of conflict, but a driver of equitable development. “We need effective crisis communication and a people-centered approach to avoid the resource curse,” Aryanto concluded.