DIGIVESTASI - Chinese nationals residing in Indonesia caused a stir after it was discovered that they were involved in illegal gold mining in West Kalimantan. This illegal activity took place in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, and involved unauthorized land excavation by foreign nationals from China. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has intervened along with security forces to take action against this activity.

Sunindyo Suryo Herdadi, Director of Engineering and Environment at the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal (Ditjen Minerba) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), revealed that this illegal gold mining was conducted by a Chinese national with the initials YH. YH and his accomplices were involved in underground mining, resulting in the creation of a mine shaft extending 1,648.3 meters. They have now been designated as suspects in this activity.

The Directorate General of Minerals and Coal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has conducted an investigation into the mine tunnel to inventory the gold concentrate produced by YH and his accomplices. Due to this unauthorized mining activity, the country has suffered losses from the depletion of approximately 774.2 kilograms of gold reserves and about 937.7 kilograms of silver reserves.

Sunindyo stated that the suspects face a maximum prison sentence of five years and a fine of up to Rp 100 billion, in accordance with Article 158 of Law Number 3 of 2020. This case will be further developed, in coordination with the Ketapang District Attorney's Office.

The illegal mine is located within a Mining Business Permit Area (WIUP) that has not received approval for the Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) for the 2024-2026 production period.

Sunindyo also explained the modus operandi used by YH and his accomplices, which involved exploiting mine shafts in areas that had permits but were supposed to be used only for maintenance purposes. The illegally mined material was then refined and sold in the form of ore or gold bullion.

During an inspection at the illegal mining site, various equipment was found, including hammers, gold sieves, gold molds, induction smelting equipment, and heavy machinery such as a lower loader and an electric dump truck. The total length of the discovered mine shaft was 1,648.3 meters with a volume of 4,467.2 cubic meters.

Sunindyo added that the calculation of the state's losses from this illegal mining activity is still being carried out by relevant agencies with the necessary expertise.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif, confirmed that his department is in the process of addressing this illegal mining activity. However, he was unable to disclose the exact amount of the state’s losses due to the illegal gold mining in Ketapang, as the calculation is still ongoing.

Find more news and articles on Google News