Aceh Mining Permit Sale Amid Ecological Crisis |

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The Aceh government issued 20 Mining Business Permits (IUP) for new exploration sites throughout 2025. This is a concerning decision amidst floods and landslides, as well as the threat of massive environmental damage in Aceh.

Data from the Aceh Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Agency revealed that 20 new mining business permits for gold, copper, coal, iron ore, quartzite, and other exploration were issued throughout 2025 during the term of Acting Governor Safrizal.

These mining permits cover a total area of ​​44,585 hectares, spread across Aceh Besar, Southwest Aceh, Aceh Jaya, Singkil, and South Aceh.

Regions that are not included in the new exploration areas are not necessarily free from threats. Disasters in a district are not only the suffering of the residents concerned, but also a shared disaster. Consider the recent floods, which also affected areas devoid of forests, such as Lhokseumawe City.

During the administration of Governor Muzakir Manaf-Fadhlullah, 13 mining permits (IUPs) were issued. This is ironic considering that this administration is still in its infancy, the result of the regional head elections held in late 2024.

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Environmental civil society groups, such as the Institute for Development of Acehnese Society (IDeAS), expressed concern over the Aceh government's decision to sell off mining permits. This decision was made during the floods and landslides that struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

The Aceh government appears to have been insensitive to the enormity of the disaster, which claimed 1,207 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands across the three affected provinces. Even now, the lives of flood victims are dire, with limited facilities and life support.

The evacuees spent Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1447 H in refugee camps. Children's education was disrupted, their economy was disrupted, and life became even more difficult for the community. To this day, the homes of flood victims are still inundated with hardened mud. Many have not received any aid at all.

The sale of mining permits is a warning sign of future disaster. Even without official permits, illegal mining, whether carried out by corporations or communities, is already a serious threat to the environment. These permits serve as a red carpet for companies competing to profit while destroying the environment.

In the current situation, the Aceh Government should impose a moratorium on the issuance of Mining Permits (IUP). Even companies with valid IUPs should be strictly evaluated. The Aceh Environment and Forestry Agency must assess their performance in environmental preservation.

The Company Performance Rating Program in Environmental Management, or PROPER, is an instrument for licensing considerations. Companies that receive a red or even black PROPER rating should be expelled from Aceh.[]

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Photos of the natural beauty of Takengon, Central Aceh, Indonesia.

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