Balikpapan-Plan of the Ministry of Energy and Resources Minelar (ESDM) for a moratorium (temporary suspension) of coal mining permits supported Awang Faroek Ishak Governor of East Kalimantan . In fact, the Governor stated, that has long been voiced that the Regent / Mayor in East Kalimantan to stop new coal mining permits.

"If it (a moratorium on mining permits) I strongly agree. But that does not stop mining activity that has gone the way you know it," Awang said when met at the Hotel Gran Senyiur Aberdeen, on Tuesday (15/11).

According to Awang, he has always had requested the Regent / Mayor to stop providing new mining permit, and curb the thousands of overlapping mining permits. "I agree-stop licensing the first of all, while we evaluate again that there are thousands of hectares of mine is," said Awang.


In the evaluation, said Awang, Regent / Mayor must have the courage to take action against mines that do not run a mining agreement that has been set. "Those already hold a permit and operate we see again, is already implementing the provisions stipulated in the agreement (mining agreement). If it turns out in the evaluation of a company that does not meet the rules, surely the government must have the courage to take action. If you need to termination (revocation) permission. Of which can be terminated Regents and Mayors are issuing permits, "he explained.

Currently, more Awang, controlled mining permit many groups and individuals that are not able to do the mining. As a result, the owners of capital who seriously want to invest in the mining sector was forced to bite the fingers. The area of ​​the existing mine, and permission has been dikapling mastered the group who just want to trade in the mining permit.

"A lot of people who seriously want to invest in the mining sector but do not have a chance. For what? Licenses held by persons who do not have the capital. Well permits held by these people who should be terminated (revoked)," said former Regent of Kutai East.

Awang claimed mining permit issued by the Regent / Mayor in East Kalimantan was too much and it was time to do a moratorium on the issuance of the permit. "As Samarinda, Kukar, Kubar, and East Kutai has been too much and many times I have to say it's time to put in order," he said again.

Nevertheless, a moratorium is a central government authority. "Yes kapannya (moratorium) that depends on the Ministry of Energy, if the Governor could not agree with the idea of ​​a moratorium on it. Now it's a lot of mining companies that violate the rules. But we can not because it's authorized menindaknya Regents and Mayors. Automatic if the moratorium is set we will call the Regent and the Mayor, "he concluded.

Deleted until 2031
Plan a moratorium on mining permit also responded positively Balikpapan Mayor Rizal Effendi. Rizal said, would be better if the moratorium is dipermanenkan with stronger regulations again.

"We'll see whether it is permanent or temporary moratorium, but it seems that while the (mining) can be rearranged again. Yes better if made more robust rules anymore," Rizal said when met at the Hotel Gran Senyiur Aberdeen, on Tuesday (15/11) .

According to Rizal, a moratorium was time to do by looking at aspects of environmental capacity, as well as value-added aspects of the mining sector. "Do not let the same fate as coal wood. Since we are usually late in development. We are too absorbed in coal exports, while the raw material for its own electrical difficulties. If exports continue to enjoy the added value aspects of other people," said Rizal.

Balikpapan, continued Rizal, also has clear potential for coal in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Removal shall be included in the revised Plan and Regional Spatial (Spatial) 2016-2031. "Already we put in Spatial, meaning in our RTRW no region for mining area," he said.

Separately, with establishment of the Regional Planning Agency (Bappeda) Aberdeen Suryanto Rizal helped justify the statement. "In our old RTRW 2005-2015 also no mines, and which is being revised, too," beber Suryanto.

In other words, sure Aberdeen will be free to mine until 2031. "So if the central government will issue licenses to mining in Balikpapan have to wait RTRW later revised it in 2031," said Suryanto.

Potential coal in New York City nearly 60 percent of the total land area of ​​approximately 503.30 square km. "If no one on the map held by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources was 60 percent. But we have never done penilitian detail," said Suryanto.

Although the City Government is committed not to issue licenses, but by no means a closed Balikpapan from mining activities. "They can if the future already exist of environmentally sound technologies, maybe we also will take advantage of our coal. But wait 2031," said Suryanto.