Jakarta. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has ordered the suspension of 190 mineral and coal mining permits (IUP) for failing to meet reclamation obligations, a move he said underscores the government’s firm stance on sustainable mining practices at Investor Daily Summit (IDS) 2025 on Thursday.

“Those 190 companies refused to pay their reclamation guarantees. If there’s no guarantee, forests will be left damaged. Who is going to take the responsibility?” Bahlil said.

The sanctions, laid out in a letter from the Energy Ministry’s Directorate General of Mineral and Coal (No. T-1533/MB.07/DJB.T/2025) dated September 18, 2024, were issued after the companies ignored three warnings. The suspensions are part of the ministry’s broader evaluation of mining governance, including compliance with reclamation requirements and Work and Budget Plans (RKAB).

According to Bahlil, the ministry is also restructuring mining permits and forest-use licenses (IPPKH). “In nickel and coal mining, there’s now a task force managing forest-use permits. If there’s no IUP and no IPPKH, any mining activity is simply illegal,” he added.

Most of the suspended permits involve coal operations in East and Central Kalimantan, and mineral mines in Southeast and Central Sulawesi. Despite the suspensions, companies are still required to carry out environmental management, maintenance, and monitoring within their concession areas.