Jakarta – The Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) has sealed off a number of mining sites in West Sumatra and summoned eight large corporations operating in North Sumatra to undergo environmental inspections.
Minister of Environment/Head of BPLH Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated in a press release on Saturday, 20 December, that the summons were focused on companies operating in the upstream and strategic areas of the Batang Toru river basin and its surroundings, which were most severely affected by flash floods and landslides.
The eight companies summoned by KLH/BPLH include PT Agincourt Resources as the operator of the Martabe gold mine, PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy (NSHE) as the developer of the Batang Toru hydroelectric power plant, PT Perkebunan Nusantara III (PTPN III) Batang Toru Estate, PT Toba Pulp Lestari Tbk (TPL), PT Sago Nauli Plantation, PT SOL Geothermal Indonesia, PT Pahae Julu Micro-Hydro Power, and PT Dairi Prima Mineral.
Hanif explained that all of these companies were summoned to undergo official investigations into their compliance with environmental permits, forest and watershed management, and the alleged contribution of their business activities to the increased risk of extreme hydrometeorological disasters in North Sumatra.
He emphasised that KLH/BPLH uses a science-based approach, ensuring that case handling is not reactive, but rather thoroughly investigates the link between changes in the landscape due to industrial activities and the resulting floods and landslides. “With a team of independent experts, including hydrologists, geospatial experts, land damage experts, and flood modelling experts,” said Hanif.
According to him, the analysis encompasses changes in forest cover, degradation of water catchment areas, mining and plantation activities upstream of watersheds, and the cumulative impact on river capacity during extreme rainfall events. The results of the study will form the basis for determining environmental restoration obligations and administrative, civil and criminal penalties if violations are found.
In addition to inspections in North Sumatra, KLH/BPLH also sealed off a number of mining sites in West Sumatra that were suspected of operating without adequate environmental management and exacerbating the impact of flooding. The sealing off was carried out to temporarily halt business activities while awaiting the results of technical and environmental evaluations.
Hanif emphasised that even though some business permits were issued before changes in environmental and forestry regulations, this does not absolve companies of their obligation to maintain the ecological function of the area and protect the safety of the surrounding community.
He added that environmental law enforcement would be carried out fairly and comprehensively, without distinguishing between the scale of business or capital ownership. The government, said Hanif, did not want economic development to continue to come at the high cost of human lives, ecosystem damage and social crises in the affected areas.
The Ministry of Environment and Forestry/BPLH believes that strengthening corporate oversight and accountability is key to breaking the cycle of recurring ecological disasters in Sumatra. “This is a strong message to corporations: the environment is not something that can be sacrificed for profit,” said Hanif. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: The Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) seals off and installs surveillance signs in the operational area of the palm oil plantation and factory of PT Tri Bahtera Srikandi (PT TBS), a subsidiary of PT Sago Nauli Plantation (PT SNP) in Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra. 11 December 2025. Source: Ministry of Environment.
