Jakarta, Aug. 22 -- Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia reaffirmed his commitment to taking firm action against illegal mining in forest areas.

"Regulating mining areas in forest areas. After inspections by the task force, there are miners whose IUPs (mining business permits) are missing. This must be regulated," Lahadalia said in Jakarta on Friday.

Citing Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which mandates that natural resources be managed for the people's prosperity, he stressed the need to bring illegal mining under regulation.

Lahadalia said the aim is twofold: protecting the environment while ensuring that the state secures revenue.

He added that the mining sector contributes about 15 percent of ...