The widespread news about state losses caused by illegal mining, which amount to hundreds of trillions of rupiah, has raised a number of questions among the public, how do you estimate state losses of that amount?

Is it in the form of misappropriated cash funds? For this reason, RRI Bogor had the opportunity to conduct an interview with Prof. Hefni Effendi, an environmental expert at IPB University who also has experience conducting environmental studies due to pollution and formulating mitigation efforts.

In a straightforward and concise manner, Prof. Hefni, who is also the Chair of the Department of Aquatic Resources Management (MSP) Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) IPB University, and the Advisory Board of the Environmental Research Center (PPLH) IPB University, responded to this matter.

Prof. Hefni explained that large losses amounting to hundreds of trillions could occur if mining was carried out using open pit mining techniques. This could leave massive environmental impacts if not managed carefully after mining.

“The calculation of losses due to environmental pollution is determined by applying an economic valuation of resources and the environment.

“Environmental services are a component whose losses must be estimated,” explained Prof. Hefni in an interview broadcast live by RRI Bogor recently.

“The environmental service component consisting of procurement, regulation, culture and support has very high value.

“Especially if mining is carried out in forest areas or coastal and marine areas that have sensitive ecosystems such as: mangrove forests, coral reefs, seagrass beds and fishing grounds,” he said.

Prof. Hefni continued, the impacts that occur on the environment can be categorized as state losses, because if an environmental disaster occurs due to pollution, the state must be present to overcome and mitigate these problems and there are a number of funds that must be spent to restore disturbed people’s lives and restore existing environmental conditions. damaged.

“If a disaster occurs due to carelessness and indifference to environmental management, it will take a long time to recover.

“On the other hand, when mining is carried out carefully and with permits, recovery efforts should be carried out simultaneously with exploitation activities, so that not long after mining, it is hoped that the environment can also recover,” he said.

He explained that mining activities, both legal and illegal, are closely related to the community’s economy. Legal mining is usually carried out by corporations, while illegal mining is usually carried out by groups of people who do not have official institutions.

“Therefore, handling miners without permits must be carried out with a persuasive and humanist approach, so that economic and environmental problems as well as legal aspects of mining can find a wise solution,” concluded Prof. Hefni.