Coal Company in Bengkulu Reported for Not Having Environmental Permit

TheIndonesia.co - Bengkulu environment and forestry office (DLHK) has reported a coal mining company in the province to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry for allegedly failing to obtain environmental permit.

Official from DLHK Bengkulu Rico Yulyana said PT Putera Maga Naditama (PMN) had allegedly been operating without having conducting environmental impact assessment (AMDAL) and obtaining environmental permit, and DLHK has informed the Ministry about the issue.

“We have sent the letter to the KLHK since coal-related authority is held by the central government,” Yulyana said on Monday, August 29, as reported by Antara.

He added that his office was able to inform the Ministry through a request sent by Bengkulu governor to verify the mining activities carried out and environmental permit owned by PMN.

The mining company was found to have not obtained environmental permit during a meeting between president director Alexander Roumokoy and Commission III of North Bengkulu Legislative Council on August 22.

In a site visit made by members of Commission III, it was understood that when ministerial regulation related to AMDAL was issued in 2008, North Bengkulu did not issue environmental permit.

Afterwards, PMN was not operating for a period of time, and as of now, they still have the mining business license. And their previous environmental permit is still considered valid.

However, DLHK Bengkulu said that it had yet to receive the assessment and permit documents from PMN.

“We need to see what will be adjusted because we never get hold of and see the documents,” Yulyana said.