Danantara Sets Up Perminas to Manage Strategic Minerals, Martabe in Focus

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Danantara has prepared the establishment of a new state owned enterprise, PT Perusahaan Mineral Nasional or Perminas, on Thursday, Jan 29, 2026 in Jakarta to manage strategic mineral and metal processing assets as the government reviews the future of the Martabe gold mine after the previous operator’s permit was revoked, a move aimed at safeguarding economic activity and jobs. The plan signals a shift toward a dedicated vehicle for mineral governance outside existing mining holdings.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the government needed a specialized SOE to manage mineral resources more strategically, distinguishing Perminas from the current mining holding structure. He said the mandate would focus on tighter control and clearer state oversight of key natural resources.

“This is a different matter,” Prasetyo said, adding that the government required “one SOE that is specifically tasked with managing mineral resources so the governance of natural resources becomes more focused and strategic.”

Prasetyo confirmed that Perminas, previously mentioned by Danantara’s chief executive, would likely manage the Martabe gold mine in North Sumatra, whose operating license had been revoked from PT Agincourt Resources. “One of them,” he said briefly when asked to confirm Martabe’s inclusion.

The government stressed that the creation of Perminas would not disrupt the position of MIND ID, whose members include PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, PT Bukit Asam Tbk, PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Inalum, and PT Timah Tbk. Prasetyo said the new SOE was meant to answer specific policy needs rather than replace existing entities.

Separately, Deputy Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Yuliot Tanjung said the transfer of Martabe’s management to Perminas had not yet been finalized because the government was still conducting a comprehensive evaluation. He said the assessment covered administrative and environmental obligations of the previous operator.

“Regarding the process, this is being evaluated as a whole, what obligations the company had and whether they have been fulfilled, including environmental obligations that have also been reviewed by the forest area task force,” Yuliot said on Friday, Jan 30, 2026.

Yuliot said the government was preparing a matrix of obligations as the basis for a final decision, adding that regulations provide for a 180 day remediation period. He said the review involved coordination between the mineral and coal directorate and the law enforcement directorate to ensure legal certainty and business continuity.

Following the permit revocation, Chief Operating Officer of Danantara Dony Oskaria said Perminas would serve as the state’s vehicle to keep economic activity and employment running in the mining area. “To Perminas. So there is a newly formed Perusahaan Mineral Nasional,” Dony said.

PT Agincourt Resources said it respected the government’s decision and would comply with all legal and administrative procedures. “PT Agincourt Resources respects government policy and is cooperative in following all applicable administrative procedures and legal provisions,” senior communications manager Katarina Siburian Hardono said.

The Martabe gold mine has been operated since 2012 under a 30 year sixth generation contract of work, with most shares held by entities linked to United Tractors. The mine is located in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, and has been a significant source of regional employment.