MOE Regulation No. 202 of 2004 on Wastewater Quality Standard for Gold and or Copper Ore Mining

Regulation of the State Minister of Environment No. 202 of 2004 on Wastewater Quality Standard for Gold and or Copper Ore Mining Businesses and/or Activities sets out wastewater quality standards for gold and/or copper ore mining businesses and activities in Indonesia. It aims to prevent water pollution by regulating the discharge of wastewater from various stages of mining and processing, including extraction, transportation, stockpiling, processing, and mine closure. The regulation is part of Indonesia’s environmental protection framework under Law No. 32/2009 and Government Regulation No. 82/2001

It stipulates the maximum levels and numbers of pollutants that may be present in the wastewater that is discharged into water sources from gold and copper ore mining businesses and activities. However, a stricter standard would apply if the result of a business/activity’s feasibility study as part of its environmental license (AMDAL or UKL-UPL) requires a stricter wastewater quality standard than that stipulated in the regulation.

Wastewater originating from gold and copper ore mining is required to be processed such that it does not exceed the applicable wastewater quality standard. The person in charge of the gold and/or copper mining business/activity is required to:

• conduct a study of the location of wastewater treatment points to obtain a wastewater discharge permit
• conduct daily self-monitoring of wastewater quality 
• periodically examine the processed wastewater for adherence to applicable standards in an accredited laboratory at least once a month
• analyse the wastewater and submit reports of the result at least once every three months every year to the relevant authorities. 

These obligations are relevant considerations for the issuance of a wastewater discharge permit in accordance with the prevailing regulations.