Two Mountains in Bandung Barat Drilled for Mining; West Java ESDM Confirms Permit Exists

Drilling activities have commenced in the Guha and Leuweung Hideung mountains in Bandung Barat, West Java, sparking concern among local residents. The large-scale drilling, captured in a viral video, is reportedly linked to plans for limestone mining.

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Yes, it is for limestone mining. The drilling activity is part of the research phase to determine the thickness of the minerals inside the mountain. This falls under the exploration stage.

Residents fear the exploration activities could threaten the Cisaladah and Cipaneguh springs, vital water sources for the local community and farmers. The video shows workers drilling in an area near plantations, intensifying worries about the environmental impact.

However, the Head of the West Java Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, Bambang Tirtoyuliono, confirmed the drilling is part of an exploration phase for limestone mining. He stated that PT Karya Karya Nusantara, the company conducting the drilling, possesses a Mining Business Permit (IUP) for Production Operations issued on April 1, 2024. This permit provides a legal basis for the exploration.

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The company has a permit for this activity, but they are not yet allowed to carry out mining activities.

Despite holding the permit, Bambang emphasized that the company is not yet authorized to begin actual mining. The current drilling is strictly for research purposes to ascertain the mineral content and thickness within the mountains. Several conditions must be met before mining activities can commence, even though the exploration is taking place in an area with an existing mining operation permit.

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This research activity is in an area that already has an operational mining permit. Perhaps they want to reconfirm the content of the mineral resources there. They have a permit, but the party concerned is not allowed to carry out mining because there are still requirements that have not been met.