Jakarta – The government is taking firm action against illegal mining activities in conservation forest areas. The Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement (Gakkumhut) has sealed off an illegal gold mine discovered near the Gunung Prabu Nature Tourism Park (TWA), Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara.
The Head of the Jabalnusra Gakkumhut Center, Aswin Bangun, stated that the sealing action was taken after the team discovered several illegal mining activities in the area.
“We are preparing law enforcement measures and strengthening coordination with all relevant parties, including local community leaders,” said Aswin.
From the inspection, officers discovered three abandoned mining pits. However, according to Aswin, similar activities have occurred in the same location.
“In previous years, we have conducted regulatory and law enforcement operations, but illegal mining activities have resurfaced,” he said.
In addition to Central Lombok, illegal mining (PETI) activities have also been identified in Sekotong District, West Lombok Regency. Gakkumhut (Forest Law Enforcement Agency) immediately implemented enforcement in the area to prevent further environmental damage.
“Solution-based and collaborative measures involving all parties, including community leaders, are needed to address the illegal mining problem and prevent it from causing state and environmental losses,” Aswin added.
Meanwhile, Gakkumhut Director General, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, emphasized that the government will take firm action against all parties involved. “We are implementing administrative, civil, and criminal instruments in accordance with the regulations.” “The perpetrators are obliged to stop their activities, restore the environment, and be responsible for the damage caused,” Dwi emphasized.
He said this step is the result of cross-agency collaboration, including the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which previously uncovered the illegal mine.
“We are strengthening cooperation with local governments and relevant agencies to ensure comprehensive monitoring, enforcement, and land restoration,” he said.
Dian Patria, Head of the KPK’s Coordination and Supervision Task Force for Region V, added that illegal mining in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has the potential to violate laws across various sectors.
“We’re not just talking about whether there’s a direct act of corruption. There could be sectoral crimes, whether forestry, environmental, or tax,” Dian explained.
He also highlighted the weak law enforcement in the field due to the possibility of “backing” from certain parties. “They don’t dare to collect because they might have backing, or they might actually be enjoying it,” said Dian.
Dian emphasized that illegal mining activities in Lombok are growing rapidly and have the potential to cause significant losses to the state. “It turns out they can mine three kilograms of gold a day. It’s only an hour from Mandalika, and it turns out there are many illegal gold mines in Lombok,” he said.
The government hopes this sealing action will serve as a strong signal that law enforcement against illegal mining will be carried out without compromise. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry also urges the public to actively report any mining activity they encounter in forest or conservation areas, including the location, photos, and time of the incident to expedite verification.
