Newsletter Government again pushes parliament to approve 13 mining operations Indonesian government has again requested that the national parliament (DPR) approve the resumption of 13 mining operations in areas that overlapped with the zone of protected forest. Mining permits for those 13 operators should be promptly issued in order that the operators can start again with their activities.
Coordinating minister of economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti after opening a scientific seminar held by the association of Indonesian geologists (IAGI) together with the association of Indonesian geophysicists (HAGI) in Jakarta, Tue (Dec.16) said that the worry on environmental destruction caused by the mining activities should not be exaggerated because only 2% of the mining concession areas overlap with the areas of protected forests in Indonesia. �The DPR should be cooperative with those 13 mining operators,� he said. Environmental destruction in Indonesia was actually not caused by mining activities. Environmental destruction in the country factually occurred in forest concession areas due to lacking efforts of reclamation and re- forestation. It is not wise to make a use of environmental issue for rejecting the issuance of mining permits for those operators. The recent joint meeting between the coordinating minister of economy, forestry minister, minister of energy and mineral resources, state minister of environment; and the national parliament (DPR) of Indonesia, seems to be unsuccessful and the meeting has so far produced no follows up. At the meeting it was proposed that a credible institution with expertise and scientific capability like the Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) was involved in assessment and recommendation for the approval of the mining operations. It is worrisome that the prolong controversy over the permits for those mining operators would worsen the investment climate in Indonesia. Minister Kuntjoro-Jakti has asked the Indonesian mining association to explain to the DPR and local governments (Pemda) in regions about the facts such as the good and bad things of mining operations and impacts to environment. Non-governmental groups (NGOs) of environment that have unilaterally rejected the approval of those 13 mining operations should also be given scientific explanation. In the next five years Indonesia needs additional investment of US$170 billion to develop mining infrastructures throughout the country, particularly in Eastern Indonesia. But over the past years there has yet to be new investments in mining sector, thus then there will unlikely be development in mining infrastructures in the country. One of solutions to reach the target of investment of US$170 billion is to again, allow the resumption of mining operations that have so far been hindered by forestry law no.41/1999. Mining companies that have signed contracts should be allowed to go ahead with their activities. Indonesia indeed needs investment in mining sector. The fruit of mining operations can be enjoyed in the next 10-20 years. It is closely related to prediction that China will become an industrial giant in the next 25 years. China will need raw materials in bulk. The country has so far imported raw materials from Australia. Indonesai was left behind Australia in negotiating with China to supply the raw materials. The minister further said, if mining investment is not realized soon, the sector will be left behind for 20 years. If Indonesia cannot keep up with the growth of market, the bulky demand of raw materials in China will gradually decrease and Indonesia will miss a very good opportunity of market for its mining commodities. The currently existing investment in Indonesian mining sector is insignificant because new investors have hardly come to the country. It is worrisome that in the year 2007 Indonesia will face a big problem in mining sector due to minimal activities of exploration. The low investment has so far been hindered by unfavorable legislation; it is very hard for new investors to obtain permits in the country�s mining sector. Still in the context of overlapping areas between mining and forestry sectors, the minister said that law no.41/1999 on forestry should be complied with. But he continued to call for approval of the projects that had actually been agreed and signed prior to the issuance of the forestry law. �We request that the DPR approve the resumption of those 13 mining operations,� he emphasized. According to him, in years to come whatever the solution to the law should be of the exclusive concern of the mining stakeholders in the country. If the stakeholders consider that the law has to be revised or totally replaced, they can do so and propose a revision or new bill to the new parliament following the general election in year 2004. That was stated by coordinating minister of economy DorojatunKunjtoro- Tjakti when opened the IAI-HAGI Joint Convention of Jakarta 2003. IAGI-HAGI held a JCJ 2003 The association of Indonesian geologists (IAGI) together with the Indonesian association of geophysicists (HAGI) holds an annual scientific meeting called The 2003 Joint Convention of Jakarta (JCJ) with theme titled �From the Earth sciences to prosperity, sustainability and integrity of Indonesia�. The 32nd annual meeting of the IAGI in coincidence with the 28th annual meeting of the HAGI was jointly held on Dec.15-17 in Jakarta. The event attended by 800 participants. The 2003 JCJ consists of various activities previous to and subsequent to the convention such as annual scientific meetings, exhibition, discussion of panelists, and courses on geology, geophysics and fieldtrip. Discussion of panelists is held on Dec. 16 with speakers i.e. state minister of environment Nabiel Makarim MPA MSM, MT Zen, Hasyim Djalal, and HL. Ong Dsc and the moderator is director general of Geology of Mineral resources DR Wimpy S. Cecep. The convention focuses on the insight over mineral and natural riches of Indonesia. The implication is of the aspect of the welfare of local people that have so far been insignificantly improved. Environmental issues should also be focused while managing the natural resources of the country. Euphoria of regional autonomy will very likely become a threat to the unitary state of Indonesia since most regions all over the country tend to claim that natural riches in the regions should be exclusively belong to them. Such claim will of course become the root of various conflicts between the central and regional governments in the country. This is why the Indonesian geologists and geophysicists have eagerness to pay attention to the development of the mineral and natural riches all over the country by giving their significant contributions, inputs, and solutions on how to optimally manage resources for the sake of both the central and regional governments. The JCJ is a good forum of brainstorming for those experts and practitioners, at which they can share ideas, opinions, technologic and technical experiences in geology, exploitation and exploration of natural resources, and mitigation of potential natural disasters. The event is expected to generate concepts and ideas in geology including techniques, management, and policies that can be used by the government in conducting sustainable development of mineral and natural resources all over the country.* --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit IAGI Website: http://iagi.or.id IAGI-net Archive 1: http://www.mail-archive.com/iagi-net%40iagi.or.id/ IAGI-net Archive 2: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/iagi Komisi Sedimentologi (FOSI) : F. Hasan Sidi([EMAIL PROTECTED])-http://fosi.iagi.or.id Komisi SDM/Pendidikan : Edy Sunardi([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Komisi Karst : Hanang Samodra([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Komisi Sertifikasi : M. Suryowibowo([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Komisi OTODA : Ridwan Djamaluddin([EMAIL PROTECTED] atau [EMAIL PROTECTED]), Arif Zardi Dahlius([EMAIL PROTECTED]) Komisi Database Geologi : Aria A. 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