East Kalimantan — Community leaders, artisanal mining entrepreneurs, and stakeholders attended the Joint Declaration of Establishment of Artisanal Mining Cooperatives for East Kalimantan Province, which was held alongside the establishment of INKOMITRA (National Cooperative for Oil, Gas, and Artisanal Mining). The event took place at the Secretariat Office of INKOMITRA East Kalimantan Province in Samarinda, marking a new milestone in organizing legal, just, and sustainable artisanal mining activities.
Socialization materials were delivered directly by the Secretary of INKOMITRA Advisory Council, Mulyadi Elhan Zakaria. In his presentation, he emphasized that the cooperative legal entity offers numerous benefits to artisanal mining businesses, including easier licensing processes, occupational accident insurance protection, and legal certainty in operations.
Furthermore, Mulyadi stressed that environmental revitalization and post-mining reforestation are top priorities for INKOMITRA. “Artisanal mining should no longer be positioned as an environmental destroyer, but must be part of the solution through responsible management,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Head of INKOMITRA East Kalimantan Coordination, Harta Daeng Tinggi, expressed appreciation for government support and commitment in a recorded speech.
“Thank you for the government’s attention and commitment to the advancement of the mining sector and people’s welfare. INKOMITRA is ready to implement regulations through the cooperative system,” he affirmed.
Support also came from artisanal mining entrepreneurs. Baharuddin, one of the attending miners, expressed hope that Government Regulation No. 39 of 2025 will truly serve as a solution for mining communities.
“We hope this regulation can accommodate the interests of the community, especially artisanal miners,” he said.
Fahmi Junaedi, another artisanal mining entrepreneur, echoed this sentiment. He emphasized the importance of clear legal frameworks to ensure mining activities run smoothly and with dignity.
“We want to be under the umbrella of clear rules so we can work safely and orderly. The ultimate goal is to improve the living standards of East Kalimantan people, especially artisanal mining workers,” he stated.
During the event, the Secretary of INKOMITRA Advisory Council also explained that the organization was previously named IKTN (National Mining Cooperative). As regional needs expanded to include management of oil and gas resources, it was renamed INKOMITRA.
This change is believed to expand the organization’s role in overseeing cooperatives in the oil, gas, and artisanal mining sectors, in line with each region’s natural resource potential.
Closing the event, INKOMITRA General Chairperson Mulyadi extended congratulations on the simultaneous establishment of Artisanal Mining Cooperatives in East Kalimantan. He specifically commended the Berau Artisanal Mining Producers Cooperative, led by H. Muhammad Jafar, as an integral part of INKOMITRA East Kalimantan Province.
“INKOMITRA exists to ensure that artisanal mining no longer operates in isolation, but unites within a legal, strong cooperative system that prioritizes people’s welfare,” he concluded.
Editor’s Note:
Reported from various online media sources // contribution from Prime News Post // photo: courtesy/ Google documents
