Indonesia lets cooperatives manage mining areas for the first time

hartono · Oct 9, 2025

Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono (center) delivers a statement to the press after the inauguration of officials of the Cooperative Information Center Management Body of the Indonesian Cooperative Council (Dekopin) in Jakarta on Wednesday (October 8, 2025). ANTARA/Harianto

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono stated that for the first time in history, cooperatives have been given the opportunity to manage mining areas of up to 2,500 hectares to enhance their role in the national strategic sector.

This, according to him, is in line with the issuance of Government Regulation Number 39 of 2025, which is the second amendment to Government Regulation Number 96 of 2021 on Mineral and Coal Mining Business Activities.

Speaking here on Wednesday, Juliantono noted that the new regulation paves the way for cooperatives to officially obtain mining business permits, marking a new era of cooperative involvement in managing the nation’s natural resources.

He emphasized that the policy demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the position of cooperatives so they can compete in the mining industry, which has long been dominated by large corporations.

Juliantono added that the regulation provides opportunities for various entities, including cooperatives as people-based economic institutions, to participate in mining management.

With this opportunity, he said, new entrepreneurs are expected to emerge from cooperatives across the country.

He expressed optimism that, under the guidance of Indonesian Cooperative Council (Dekopin) Chairman Bambang Haryadi, cooperatives will be able to manage mining concessions professionally and generate economic benefits for local communities.

The government, he affirmed, will continue to support cooperatives’ operations so that they can stand alongside major corporations by enhancing managerial capacity, access to capital, and cross-sectoral collaboration to boost competitiveness.

Juliantono also expressed hope that this policy would encourage the rise of mining business players who are resilient, honest, and committed to mutual prosperity.

He further conveyed his wish for the Dekopin cooperative movement to develop cooperatives that are as successful and prosperous as existing mining and mineral companies.