Vol. 16 No. 3 (2013): INDONESIAN MINING JOURNAL Vol. 16 No. 3 OCTOBER 2013

This last journal of the 2013 edition really emphasizes in good mining practices, particularly in implement- ing the application of the Law 4/2009 concerning mineral and coal mining. This agenda is really significant, because in the early 2014, this law will officially be implemented. All raw minerals that are directly sold may not be exported. The main point is that mineral product grade (concentrate) which may be exported and limited time for mining companies in completing the facilities of smelter. It has been predicted that President Susilo B. Yudhoyono will immediately sign a governmental regulation concerning the implementation of the Law 4/2009. This regulation will be a guidance of the implementation to ban export of ores in the early 2014. There are 6 minerals banned to be exported and they must be exported with grade of reaching 100%, i.e. gold, bauxite, iron ore, nickel, coal and copper.

It is predicted that the government must cope with the impacts that can happen when the regulation imple- mented. One of these impacts absolutely include termination of employment. The problem, of course, will be a concern for the mining workers. For this reason, the government should give a policy that still permit to export concentrate with certain grade limits until the construction of smelters. Besides saving the workers, this regulation can be a concession for regional economy, because the mining operation still carries out.

Articles related to this law emphasise that holders of mining licences must increase value added of mineral and coal resources in the implementation of mining operation, processing and utilisation. The holders of mining licence of operation and production must domestically conduct process the mineral and coal. It is also stressed that environmental issues are the main points to be managed wisely. In addition, most small-scale mining always gives rise to degraded environment and causes air and water pollution to the communities around the mining operation. This issue must be solved in order to create a healthy environment and to make a harmonious living between the mining company and the surrounding communities.

Five papers presented in this journal are contributed by researchers and lecturers from R&D centre and university. Some of the authors are well-known figure for their discipline and have contributed their bril- liant ideas to improve the mineral and coal technology. The rest is young researchers who are interested in managing a good environment due to mining operation in this country.

From all the papers published in this journal, R&D centre should do something new to anticipate all the above challenges rather than to cope with all problems. It is really expected that the Law 4/2009 must be implemented to accommodate the good mining practices including the aspects of exploration, mining en- vironment and economics of the mineral and coal commodities, which are perfectly processed in line with the user demands. The applied technologies for mineral and coal should be improved to obtain value added of the commodities.

The Editor