Indonesian Government Increases Oversight of Illegal Mining
West Nusa Tenggara – The government continues to tighten oversight and law enforcement against the rampant practice of illegal mining (PETI) in various regions, including the Mandalika tourist area in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
This step demonstrates the government’s commitment to preserving the environment, preventing state losses, and ensuring that natural resource management is carried out sustainably and in accordance with the law.
The Head of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)’s Regional Prevention Task Force V, Dian Patria, revealed illegal gold mining activity in Lendek Bare Hamlet, Sekotong, West Lombok. This activity is considered large-scale, with a production capacity of up to three kilograms of gold per day, equivalent to 3,000 grams.
“This is in Lombok, Lendek Bare Hamlet, Sekotong, West Lombok. This is illegal mining, gold mining, 3 kg per day,” said Dian.
He emphasized that his office had directly inspected the location and coordinated with the Directorate General of Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum) to follow up.
“However, enforcing the law here is indeed not easy, it’s very difficult, and cases like this are numerous,” he added.
The government has taken these findings seriously. The Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Forestry, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, expressed his appreciation to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for its support and synergy in uncovering illegal mining practices in the area around Mandalika. Mining activities without permits in forest or conservation areas are serious violations that must be dealt with firmly.
“Mining without permits is strictly prohibited, especially if it enters or impacts forest and conservation areas. We are implementing administrative, civil, and criminal instruments in accordance with the regulations,” Dwi emphasized.
Meanwhile, Aswin Bangun, Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency (Gakkumhut) for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara (Jabalnusra) Region, stated that law enforcement officials, local governments, and the community have collaborated to prevent and regulate illegal mining.
“We have collaborated and taken initial steps by installing warning signs and coordinating across agencies to ensure effective supervision in the field,” he said.
Efforts to increase supervision and law enforcement against illegal mining demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting Indonesia’s natural resources. This step is expected to suppress illegal mining practices that harm the state while strengthening national mining governance towards sustainable development.
