Coal mining activity on Jalan Perjuangan RT 104, Sungai Pinang Dalam Village, Sungai Pinang District, Samarinda, which is suspected of being illegal, has been disputed. The police stated that the mine had not violated the rules or was legal.
The coal mining activity on the roadside is in the middle of a settlement, and is in an elevated area, or a road that descends from the intersection of three Jalan Gerilya. Regarding the suspicion of illegal mining, the police intervened to carry out an investigation.
“Yesterday we followed up on the findings at the crime scene. We are conducting an examination and in-depth investigation, there are around 7 witnesses that we are examining,” said Police Commissioner Ary Fadli, Head of the Samarinda Police, in a statement, Thursday.
A number of parties being investigated for questioning included the head of mining engineering (KTT), the person in charge of the field, the owner of the heavy equipment, the wakar or site guard, as well as the head of the RT.
“From the results of the information it was found that the location was included in the CV Limbu mining business permit area,” said Ary Fadli.
From the police investigation, the mining activity was reported by the Summit to the mine inspector.
“From the start of implementation, there was indeed a land preparation activity issued by the Samarinda City PUPR Service regarding the granting of an IPL (Land Development Permit) dated December 8, 2022,” said Ary Fadli.
Still in the statement, the police have also coordinated with mining expert witnesses.
“We have coordinated the mining chronology with mining expert witnesses. It was stated that the (mining) activity did not violate article 158 of Law No. 03 of 2020,” Ary Fadli emphasized.
To note, Law No. 3 of 2020 concerning Amendments to Law No. 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining regulates the provisions for sanctions for mining without a permit in article 158 which reads:
“Everyone who carries out Mining without a permit as referred to in Article 35 shall be subject to imprisonment for a maximum of 5 (five) years and a maximum fine of Rp. 100,000,000,000.00 (one hundred billion rupiah)”
Ary Fadli did not provide a question and answer session at the press conference in the alleged illegal mining case. Before he rushed to leave the location of the press conference, he had time to answer a journalist’s question.
“Yes,” confirmed Ary Fadli, when asked about the certainty that the mine was an official coal mine.
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