The practice of illegal mining occurs in almost all regions of Indonesia, i.e. Sumatra, Kalimantan, Papua, Sulawesi, Java, Nusa Tenggara, and Maluku. In Maluku, an illegal mining case occurred in the Mount Botak area, Buru Regency. According to Irjen. Pol. Drs. Royke Lumowa, M.M., Doctoral student at the School of Environmental Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (SIL UI), the PETI case on Mount Botak, Buru Island, Maluku, caused environmental damage, security disturbances, health problems for the mining community, a decline in the community’s economy, and social change.
In his dissertation entitled “Penataan Penambangan Emas Tanpa Izin Menuju Pertambangan Rakyat Berkelanjutan” (Organization of Illegal Mining towards Sustainable Community Mining), Royke stated that the impact of illegal mining on the environment can be seen from the high levels of pollution and contamination of mercury and cyanide in agricultural irrigation around Mount Botak. In addition, the economy of the coastal communities around the area is also affected because the fish they catch is considered contaminated with mercury, making it not good for consumption.
Observing this situation, Royke assessed the need for concrete steps from the state as the holder of natural resource management authority. The Indonesian National Police (Polri), which has the authority to control illegal mining practices, must encourage the realization of sustainable community mining. “As a representative of the state, Polri plays a role in maintaining the absence of illegal mining activities inclusively or preventing illegal mining activities in the area on an ongoing basis so that sustainable community mining practices can be realized,” said Royke.
The research conducted by Royke aims to build a model for Polri’s role in creating a situation where illegal mining activities are absent in an inclusive manner so that sustainable community mining practices in the Mount Botak area, Buru Regency, Maluku Province can be realized. The results showed that the main role of Polri in controlling illegal mining on Mount Botak had an effect on achieving the absence of illegal mining activities. This achievement is even greater because of the non-formal role of the Police, which is the role of influence. The institutional role of Polri and the role of influence has the potential to create inclusiveness in the absence of illegal mining practices.
Several related parties are seeking the legalization of mining through the Community Mining Area (WPR). As a result, the WPR at Mount Botak has been established by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) through the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal. This process currently has been followed up to the stage of obtaining the Community Mining License (IPR) by the Provincial Government of Maluku while still prioritizing eco-friendly mining.
To realize sustainable community mining practices, Royke provides four recommendations for the Central and Regional Governments. First, a more affirmative legal framework in controlling illegal mining practices. Second, social and economic welfare programs from the root in order to encourage inclusivity in the absence of illegal mining practices within the WPR institutional framework. Third, central government supervision to prevent illegal mining practices from occurring through the program of social and economic empowerment in the community. Lastly, the process of institutionalizing WPR and management of IPR that is based on actual area needs and the fulfillment of local community access.
In his dissertation, Royke also provides recommendations for Polri. According to him, Polri’s presence nationally must support the Central and Regional Governments in carrying out the implementation of social and economic development policies for communities around mining areas. This is done to ensure the achievement of economic interests, social protection, and environmental safety. In addition, Polri needs to increase its insight into the concept of sustainability in order to encourage the role of Polri in sustainable mining practices.
Thanks to his research, Irjen. Pol. Drs. Royke Lumowa, M.M. who is a retired Indonesian National Police officer, obtained his doctoral degree in five semesters with cum laude predicate and a GPA of 3.99. In the Doctoral Promotion Session held at the IASTH UI Building, Salemba Campus, on Saturday (31/12/22), Royke was inaugurated as the 61st doctor at SIL UI and the 178th doctor in Environmental Science.
The Doctoral Promotion Session was chaired by Dr. dr. Tri Edhi Budhi Soesilo, M.Sc. with Promoter Dr. Drs. Suyud Warno Utomo, M.Si. On that occasion, Dr. Tri Edhi also acted as Co-Promoter with Dr. Hariyadi, S.IP., MPP. The Examiner Team in the session consisted of Prof. Dr. Chryshnanda Dwilaksana, M.Sc.; Prof. Dr. Yusthinus Male, S.Sc., M.Sc.; Prof. Dr. Kosuke Mizuno; dr. Francisia Saveria, M.A., Ph.D.; and Dr. Evi Frimawaty, S.Pt., M.Si.
Author: Public Relations of SIL| Editor: Sasha
