DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/dilrev.10.2.2025.234-253

GOVERNANCE OF MINERAL AND COAL MINING PERMITS: LEGAL DYNAMICS IN INDONESIA AND NIGERIA

*Hezron Sabar Rotua Tinambunan scopus  -  Doctor of Law Program, Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia
Istislam Istislam  -  Doctor of Law Program, Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia
Shinta Hadiyantina  -  Doctor of Law Program, Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia
Adi Kusumaningrum  -  Doctor of Law Program, Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia
Ngboawaji Daniel Nte  -  Department of Intelligence and Security Studies, Novena University, Nigeria
Open Access Copyright (c) 2025 Diponegoro Law Review under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0.

Citation Format:
Abstract

This study examines the legal construction of authority for mineral and coal mining permits in Indonesia and Nigeria, using a normative approach grounded in statutory analysis and critical legal reasoning. It examines how central regional power configurations shape the effectiveness and justice of mining-licensing governance. The study finds that Indonesia’s regulatory framework, particularly since the enactment of the Mineral and Coal Mining Law and the Job Creation Law, consolidates licensing authority at the central level, reducing regional participation and limiting protections for indigenous and local communities. Similarly, Nigeria’s centralized licensing regime generates distributional inequities, weak transparency, and persistent conflict in resource-rich regions. The comparative findings demonstrate that excessive centralization, without substantive spatial and community participation, creates governance gaps and risks legitimacy. The study concludes that mining licensing systems in both jurisdictions require reconstruction toward a participatory decentralization model that incorporates regional involvement, community rights, and ecological justice. These insights offer implications for the design of more equitable, transparent, and sustainable natural resource governance.

Fulltext View|Download Email colleagues
Keywords: Decentralization; Mining Licensing Authority; Natural Resource Governance; Participatory Decentralization

Article Metrics:

Article Info
Section: Articles
Language : EN
Most cited articles
Index PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION FOR WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE ACCORDING TO INDONESIAN LAW (STUDY ON CENTRAL JAVA GOVERNMENT'S HANDLING THROUGH KPK2BGA) DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGES OF INDONESIA IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA ERA IMPLEMENTATION OF LEGAL PROTECTION BY THE GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO EMPOWERMENT OF MICRO SMALL MEDIUM ENTERPRISE TO REALIZE THE JUSTICE ECONOMY (Research Study: The Office of Cooperative and Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Province of Central Java) JUSTICE A YEARNING IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTRACT IN THE SOCIETY More cited articles
  1. Abbadi, Alaa, and Gábor Mucsi. “A Review on Complex Utilization of Mine Tailings: Recovery of Rare Earth Elements and Residue Valorization.” Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 12, no. 3 (June 2024): 113118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.113118
  2. Afolayan, David Oluwasegun and others. “Safe Mining Assessment of Artisanal Barite Mining Activities in Nigeria.” Mining 1, no. 2 (2021)
  3. Akper, P. T., and Laura Ani. “Legal and Policy Issues in the Development of Nigeria’s Mining Sector: Charting the Way Forward.” SSRN Electronic Journal, ahead of print, 2020. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3563005
  4. Ali, Ahmed F., and Amina S. Abdullahi. “Environmental Issues and the Prospects of Mining in Nigeria.” Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (DUJOPAS) 4, no. 2 (2018)
  5. Amiq, Bachrul, M. S. Borman, Moh Taufik, Renda Aranggraeni, Pudji Astuti, Sukanya Aimim-Tham, and Aminah Aminah. “Environmental Damage: Community Lawsuit Against the Government Over Industrial Business Licenses.” Law Reform 20, no. 1 (2024): 1–21. https://doi.org/10.14710/lr.v20i1.61176
  6. Ananda, Adhe Ismail, La Ode Dedihasriadi, and Yeni Haerani. “The State’s Right to Control and Local Government Authority in the Mining Sector: A Legal-Policy Research.” Administrative and Environmental Law Review 6, no. 1 (June 2025). https://doi.org/10.25041/aelr.v6i1.4079
  7. Anyanwu, Ihuoma Janefrancis. “Legal, Institutional and Regulatory Gaps in the Mining Sector and Their Impact on the Environment.” https://lawhubdev.org
  8. Arifin, H. Z. and Mulyono. “Peran Serta Masyarakat Dalam Pengelolaan Pertambangan Pasca UU Cipta Kerja.” Jurnal Studi Sosial 15, no. 3 (2022): 215
  9. Babalola, Kehinde Hassan, and Simon Antony Hull. “Examining the Land Use Act of 1978 and Its Effects on Tenure Security in Nigeria: A Case Study of Ekiti State, Nigeria.” Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal 22 (November 2019): 1–34. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2019/v22i0a5803
  10. Bebbington, Anthony, Abdul-Gafaru Abdulai, Denise Humphreys Bebbington, Marja Hinfelaar, and Cynthia Ann Sanborn. Governing Extractive Industries: Politics, Histories, Ideas. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198820932.001.0001
  11. Berger, Markus and others. “Mineral Resources in Life Cycle Impact Assessment: Part II – Recommendations on Application-Dependent Use of Existing Methods and on Future Method Development Needs.” The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 25, no. 4 (April 2020): 798–813. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-020-01737-5
  12. Bima, Muhammad Rinaldy. “Implementation of State of Emergency Within the Constitusional Law System in Indonesia.” Diponegoro Law Review 4, no. 1 (2019): 405. https://doi.org/10.14710/dilrev.4.1.2019.405-418
  13. Chung, Jaewon. The Mineral Industry of Indonesia. 2025
  14. Fauzi, I. Dinamika Pengelolaan Sumber Daya Alam Dan Otonomi Daerah: Studi Kasus Sektor Pertambangan Di Indonesia. Jakarta: Penerbit Ekonomi, 2019
  15. Federal Republic of Nigeria. “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.” Abuja: Government Printer, 1999
  16. ———. “Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007.” Abuja: Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, 2007
  17. Haldar, S. K., and Josip Tišljar. “Rocks and Minerals.” In Introduction to Mineralogy and Petrology, 1–37. Elsevier, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-408133-8.00001-8
  18. Hartati, and Zainal Amin Ayub. “Jurisdictional Disputes between Central and Local Governments in the Management of Coal Mining.” Sriwijaya Law Review 8, no. 2 (July 2024): 269–85. https://doi.org/10.28946/slrev.Vol8.Iss2.3003.pp269-285
  19. Hooghe, Liesbet, and Gary Marks. “Types of Multi-Level Governance.” European Integration Online Papers (EIoP) 5, no. 11 (2001): 1–32
  20. Hutchcroft, P. D. “Centralization and Decentralization in Southeast Asia: Exploring the Dynamics of Authority and Power.” Journal of Southeast Asian Studies 50, no. 1 (2019): 87
  21. Igbatayo, S. A. “Combating Illicit Financial Flows from Africa’s Extractive Industries and Implications for Good Governance.” Africa Development 44, no. 3 (2019)
  22. Jamin, Mohammad and others. “The Impact of Indonesia’s Mining Industry Regulation on the Protection of Indigenous Peoples.” Hasanuddin Law Review 9, no. 1 (February 2023): 88. https://doi.org/10.20956/halrev.v9i1.4033
  23. Johnson, Eva Liedholm, Magnus Ericsson, and Anton Löf. “The Mining Permitting Process in Selected Developed Economies.” Land Use Policy 131 (August 2023): 106762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2023.106762
  24. Kartika, I G. A. P., Ida A. Astarini, Putu G. A. S. Yasa, Bagus Hermanto, and Anatolijs Kriviňš. “Quo Vadis Energy Legal Policy towards Equitable and Sustainable Development in Indonesia.” Law Reform 21, no. 2 (2025): 266–94. https://doi.org/10.14710/lr.v21i2.66743
  25. Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral. “Kontribusi Minerba Pada PDB 2023 Capai Rp 2.198 Triliun.” https://www.esdm.go.id
  26. KPMG. Nigerian Mining Sector Brief. KPMG, n.d
  27. Maskun, Hamzah Halim, Muhammad M. Mukhlis, Hanim Kamaruddin, Ratnawati, Jamal Aslan, Rizal Muchtasar, Betsy A. Kapugu, and Zet T. Allo. “Legal Reform of Wastewater Management under the Job Creation Law in Kendari City: Between Regulatory Conflict and Environmental Ethics.” Law Reform 21, no. 2 (2025): 295–320. https://doi.org/10.14710/lr.v21i2.68417
  28. Nur, Asrul I., Sholahuddin Al Fatih, and Christina C. Intania. “Revitalising Indigenous Rights Participation in Mining Lawmaking Process: Evaluation and Proposal for Indonesia.” Law Reform 20, no. 1 (2024): 188–210. https://doi.org/10.14710/lr.v20i1.63684
  29. Ogunkan, D. V. “Achieving Sustainable Environmental Governance in Nigeria: Challenges and Policy Pathways.” Environmental Science & Policy 138 (2022): 65–73
  30. Oshim, Francisca Ogechukwu and others. “Socioeconomic and Environmental Impacts of Quarrying in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Review of Sustainable Quarrying Practices and Innovative Technologies.” International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation 11, no. 6 (June 2024): 324–49
  31. Psualatberat. “Natural Resources of Mining in Indonesia & The Benefits.” 2025. https://psualatberat.com
  32. Putri, Primi Suharmadhi. “Local Communities and Transparency in Indonesian Mining Legislation.” Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law 41, no. 4 (October 2023): 431–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646811.2022.2136336
  33. Rahayu, Derita P., Sri Rahayu, Faisal, Cahya Wulandari, and Muhamad S. Hassan. “Implications of Illegal Community Mining for Economic Development in Bangka Regency, Indonesia.” Law Reform 19, no. 2 (2023): 270–93. https://doi.org/10.14710/lr.v19i2.52866
  34. Resosudarmo, B. P., E. Burhan, and C. Manning. The Indonesian Economy in Transition: Policy Challenges in the Jokowi Era and Beyond. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing, 2022
  35. Resources, Center for Mineral Coal and Geothermal. Indonesian Minerals, Coal, and Geothermal Resources and Reserves 2021. Jakarta, 2021
  36. Rohman, Arif, Hartiwiningsih, and Muhammad Rustamaji. “Illegal Mining in Indonesia: Need for Robust Legislation and Enforcement.” Cogent Social Sciences 10, no. 1 (December 2024). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2358158
  37. Sule, Babayo, Usman Sambo, and Abacha Umar Deribe. “Nigeria’s Federalism and a Decade of Political Transformations.” In The Palgrave Handbook of Global Social Problems, 1–21. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68127-2_349-1
  38. Sulistyawan, Aditya Yuli. “Peran Penalaran Bagi Pembelajar Hukum Dalam Upaya Memahami Realitas Hukum.” Crepido 2, no. 3 (2020): 24–34
  39. Suwito, R. “Koordinasi Pusat Dan Daerah Dalam Pengelolaan Pertambangan: Evaluasi Terhadap Implementasi Kebijakan Di Daerah.” Jurnal Kebijakan Publik 14, no. 3 (2021): 190
  40. Tinambunan, Hezron Sabar Rotua, Istislam, Shinta Hadiyantina, Adi Kusumaningrum, and Amalina Ahmad Tajudin. “Recentralization of Mining Licensing Authority and Its Impact on Local Autonomy in Indonesia.” Jurnal Suara Hukum 7, no. 2 (2025): 533
  41. Tinambunan, Hezron Sabar Rotua and others. “Legal Protection Policy for the People in Handling COVID-19: A Comparison of Indonesia and Australia.” Realism: Law Review 3, no. 1 (2025): 31–43
  42. Tinambunan, Sabar Rotua, Hananto Widodo, Elisabeth Septin Puspoayu, Eliza Tiurmaida, and Zefanya Annabella. “State Responsibility for Implementing Large-Scale Social Restrictions to Communities Affected by Covid-19 in Surabaya City.” Diponegoro Law Review 7, no. 2 (2022): 282
  43. Tisnanta, H. S., Ria W. Putri, Yuga N. Khanza, Lenilde Pereira, and F. X. J. Priyono. “Vernacularization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Diffusing Global Values in Indonesia’s Village Government.” Law Reform 21, no. 2 (2025): 346–78. https://doi.org/10.14710/lr.v21i2.61705
  44. Utami, Novita Eka. “Sentralisasi Terhadap Kewenangan Pemerintah Daerah Dalam Perizinan Tambang Pasca Pemberlakuan Undang-Undang Mineral Dan Batubara.” Jurnal Lex Renaissance 8, no. 2 (December 2023): 360–78. https://doi.org/10.20885/JLR.vol8.iss2.art10
  45. Wardhani, Dwi Kusumo. “Revitalizing Post-Mining Land: The Role of the Land Bank in Promoting Social Justice and Environmental Sustainability.” Masalah-Masalah Hukum 54, no. 2 (July 2025): 136–55. https://doi.org/10.14710/Mmh.54.2.2025.136-155
  46. Zahry, Sarkowi V. “The Impact of Centralization on the Enactment of Law Number 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining on the Development of Regional Autonomy.” Journal La Sociale 4, no. 4 (December 2023): 244–48. https://doi.org/10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v4i4.1625

Last update:

No citation recorded.

Last update: 2026-03-04 11:06:20

No citation recorded.