Environmental Management of Coal Mining Areas in Indonesia: The Complexity of Supervision

Abstract This article examines the complexity of supervising the environmental management of coal mining operations in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. We found that the current cross-sectoral and multi-level arrangement of mining supervision leads to uncertain regulations on supervising the environmental management of coal mining operations. This study also shows that incomplete provisions lead to a legal vacuum at the implementation level. Inconsistent, ambiguous, and vague norms cause uncertainty and different understandings of performing supervision of environmental management in coal mining areas. Moreover, supervisors are limited by a lack of capacity, funding, and personnel. Mining and environmental inspectors tend not to follow up on environmental damage if permit holders assure them of their intentions to address such issues. We conclude that mining permit holders benefit most from this situation, while local populations and the environment are most at risk of being negatively affected.