Forestry Ministry cracks down on illegal gold mine in North Sulawesi

hartono · Jul 26, 2026

Forestry Ministry cracks down on illegal gold mine in North Sulawesi

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A joint operation by the Ministry of Forestry in shutting down illegal gold mining (PETI) in the Mobungayom Limited Production Forest area, Bolaang Mongondow District, North Sulawesi. ANTARA/HO-Forestry Ministry

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Forestry has shut down illegal gold mining operations in the Mobungayom Limited Production Forest in Bolaang Mongondow District, North Sulawesi.

Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho said the enforcement action was intended not only to halt illegal activities but also to preserve the ecological functions of forest areas and prevent further environmental degradation.

"Our goal is to ensure that forest areas continue to fulfill their ecological role while creating a deterrent against similar crimes. Cooperation among the government, law enforcement agencies, and the public is essential to preserving sustainable forests for present and future generations," he said in a statement on Sunday.

He added that authorities will continue investigating the case to identify other parties involved, including the owners of the heavy equipment, financiers, and those who ordered the illegal mining operations.

Meanwhile, Ali Bahri, head of the Sulawesi Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, said authorities acted swiftly on a public report after confirming that illegal mining activities involving heavy equipment were still underway in the forest area.

"This case began with a public report, which we immediately verified with the relevant authorities. When the team arrived at the location, the excavator was still operating within the forest area. The operation was immediately halted, and the individuals at the site were detained," he said.

He said investigators have identified two suspects: the excavator operator and the person responsible for the illegal mining operation. The investigation is ongoing to identify the owner of the heavy equipment, financiers, those who ordered the operation, and other individuals believed to be involved.

During the joint operation, authorities seized an excavator used in the illegal mining activities and detained five people at the site. Following the investigation, two of them were formally named as suspects.

Based on the investigation and available evidence, authorities named MAS, the excavator operator, and SH, the person responsible for the illegal gold mining operation, as suspects. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the possible involvement of additional parties.

Investigators have charged the suspects under Article 78 paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 50 paragraph (2) letter a of Law Number 41 of 1999 on Forestry, as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023 concerning the Stipulation of Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 2 of 2022 on Job Creation into Law. The offense carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum fine of Rp7.5 billion (US$407,000).