Enviro News Asia, Maluku — Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), through the Directorate General of Energy and Mineral Resources Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum ESDM), has uncovered alleged illegal gold mining activities at Gunung Botak in Buru Regency, Maluku Province. Investigators have secured at least two pieces of evidence pointing to suspected unauthorized mining operations within the Gunung Botak Community Mining Area (WPR).
Director General of Energy and Mineral Resources Law Enforcement Jeffri Huwae stated that evidence gathered through preliminary investigations and a case review conducted on May 22, 2026 indicated alleged violations of Article 158 of Law No. 3 of 2020 on Mineral and Coal Mining, as most recently amended by Law No. 2 of 2025.
“Based on these findings, the case has been elevated to the investigation stage. Legal proceedings will continue and eventually lead to the designation of suspects in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations,” Jeffri said in Jakarta on Friday.
The investigation stemmed from findings obtained during a crackdown operation carried out by the XV Pattimura Regional Military Command (Kodam XV Pattimura) on Buru Island, in coordination with the Ministry’s law enforcement unit. Authorities uncovered evidence of alleged illegal activities conducted by a company identified as PT X, including the construction of mining access roads, gold-processing soaking ponds, and employee housing facilities.
Investigators also found indications of the involvement of foreign nationals in the operation.
As part of the investigation, Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) from the Directorate General of Law Enforcement have questioned officials from the Maluku Provincial Government, the Class I Immigration Office in Ambon, personnel from Kodam XV Pattimura, and administrators of cooperatives holding Community Mining Permits (IPR).
Jeffri reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to taking firm action against all forms of illegal mining activities. He stressed that law enforcement is aimed not only at ensuring legal certainty but also at protecting the rights of licensed small-scale miners, preserving the environment, and ensuring that mineral resources are managed in an orderly and equitable manner for the benefit of the nation and public welfare.
He added that the legal process is intended to support the Maluku provincial government’s efforts to optimize the management of Gunung Botak’s gold resources for the prosperity of the people of Maluku. (*)
