Jakarta. The Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ministry has stepped up inspections of mining operations, with a particular focus on the safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance of operational vehicles.

Siti Sumilah Rita Susilawati, secretary of the ministry’s Directorate General of Minerals and Coal, said Friday that mining inspectors conduct the checks to ensure companies follow strict standards.

“Our teams make sure that the heads of mining engineering and operational supervisors carry out both scheduled and spot checks, along with evaluations of company reports,” Siti told reporters.

Mining firms are required to conduct regular feasibility tests on vehicles and equipment, maintain infrastructure, employ competent technical staff, and safeguard both operational safety and environmental sustainability.

“The inspection parameters cover technical, safety, and environmental aspects of mining,” Siti said.

Oversight is based on stringent regulations, including Energy and Mineral Resources Ministerial Regulation No. 26/2018 on Good Mining Practices and Ministerial Decree No. 1827/2018, which sets technical standards for vehicle operations, equipment maintenance, worker competency, and safety management systems.

Siti warned that companies failing to meet these standards face administrative sanctions. “Field enforcement is strict. If we find non-compliance, administrative penalties will be imposed,” she said.

The ministry’s intensified monitoring comes as part of a broader effort to ensure Indonesia’s mining sector aligns with global best practices, balancing productivity with worker safety and environmental protection.