The West Sumatra Provincial Government has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the protected status of all coastal areas by firmly stating that it will not authorize any licenses for sea sand mining within the region.
“All coastal areas in West Sumatra are protected, and therefore activities such as sea sand mining will not be permitted, except for conservation activities, such as those involving sea turtles, which are allowed. However, sea sand mining is strictly prohibited,” Head of West Sumatra Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Office Herry Martinus said on Monday (19/6).
Despite the government’s decision to resume sea sand exports, the West Sumatra Energy and Mineral Resources Office has confirmed that they have not received any permit applications for mining sea sand in coastal areas.
Herry explained that companies interested in obtaining a license for sea sand mining in West Sumatra’s coastal areas must undergo an extensive procedure with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (LHK).
“The procedure will be lengthy, and it is not easy to conduct sea sand mining, especially considering that all coastal areas in West Sumatra are protected,” Herry added.
Sea sand mining potential in West Sumatra
West Sumatra is recognized as one of the provinces with the potential for sea sand mining. The region’s sea waters cover an area of 186,500 square kilometers, with a coastline spanning approximately 2,420.38 km.
It boasts seven regencies and cities which contain significant sea sand resources including Pesisir Selatan Regency, Mentawai Islands, Padang City, Pariaman, Padang Pariaman Regency, Agam, and West Pasaman Regency.
Even before the central government made its decision, the ESDM Office had already raised concerns about the existence of illicit sea sand mining activities in the region.
Pasir Jambak Beach, particularly in Pasie Nan Tigo, Koto Tangah District, Padang City, is one of the locations where unauthorized mining has taken place.
This unlawful activity has resulted in the erosion of protective trees along the shoreline due to prolonged exposure to seawater. Shockingly, this mining operation has been ongoing for the past five years. Moreover, similar incidents of illegal sea sand mining have been identified in Pariaman.
Contrary perspectives: DPMPTSP’s openness to sea sand mining
On the contrary, the Head of the West Sumatra Province Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service (DPMPTSP) has affirmed that there have been no recorded sea sand mining activities within their jurisdiction. As a result, it remains uncertain whether there is potential for sea sand extraction in West Sumatra.
DPMPTSP even expressed its openness to investment in sea sand mining, even though it has not yet received an official letter from the central government regarding the reopening of sea sand exports in Indonesia.
In this regard, the Head of DPMPTSP West Sumatra, Adib Alfikri, stated that as long as everything is in accordance with the clear regulations and guidelines from the central government, the local government will comply with those regulations.
Moreover, if sea sand mining operations proceed, it could become a new sector to attract investors to invest in West Sumatra and contribute to its economic development.
Sea sand mining regulations
Earlier, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo issued Government Regulation (PP) No. 26/2023 on the Management of Marine Sedimentation, which allowed the export of sea sand. Jokowi’s decision received mixed responses and opposition due to concerns about potential environmental damage.
In regards to this matter, the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Ministry is currently developing derivative regulations based on PP No. 26/2023, aiming to establish stricter and more transparent management of sedimentation results in the sea.
