The government has recently issued new Regulations regulating mining areas (the Regulations).* The Regulations set out a regulatory framework as well as clear obligations for those wishing to apply for licences to mine in particular areas. Further, the Regulations provide for procedures whereby existing licencees can apply for a further licence to mine commodities that they have discovered while mining for the commodity covered by their licence.

In addition, the Regulations emphasizes that the Minister determine the size and boundaries of WIUP for certain non-metallic mineral commodities (komoditas mineral bukan logam jenis tertentu) based on proposals submitted by businesses, cooperatives, or individual companies.

*Regulation No. 25 of 2023 on Mining Areas. This Regulation replaces and revokes the previous regulation.