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January 13, 2025 | 11:57 pm
TEMPO.CO, Sumbawa - The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) has urged the provincial government to take immediate action against illegal gold mining operations conducted by Chinese citizens in Sumbawa Regency. This call follows reports of rampant activity involving heavy machinery, such as excavators and stone crushers, at these illegal mining sites, disrupting the lives of residents in three villages.
“The West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government must immediately conduct an evaluation regarding the presence of heavy equipment in these areas,” said Saat Abdullah, an NTB DPRD member, in Sumbawa on Monday, January 13, 2025.
While acknowledging that the issuance of mining permits falls under the jurisdiction of the central government, Saat emphasized the need for the provincial government to address the issue of illegal mining to protect both the community and the state's interests.
“In the future, we cannot allow this situation to continue because the victims are the community,” Saat added.
Data from the NTB Environment and Forestry Service (DLHK) reveals that dozens of illegal mining sites, each spanning tens of hectares, are operating in Sumbawa. This illegal activity results in significant revenue losses for the state, as these operations evade taxes, royalties, and other mandatory contributions.
Julmansyah, Head of the NTB Environment and Forestry Service, clarified that the regulation of illegal mining falls under the purview of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' (ESDM) mining inspectorate and law enforcement agencies, as it constitutes a criminal offense under Article 158 of the Mineral and Coal Mining Law.
The use of mercury in artisanal mining is prohibited, but cyanide use is permitted under strict conditions, requiring proper wastewater management and adherence to established quality standards.
“Mercury is currently banned from circulation in Indonesia. Any existing mercury must have originated from unlicensed sources,” Julmansyah said on Monday, January 13, 2025.
According to him, the Sumbawa Regency Government has already enacted Regional Regulation No. 57 of 2020, which outlines a Regional Action Plan for the Reduction and Elimination of Mercury.
The NTB Environmental Forum (Walhi) has raised concerns about the environmental impacts of illegal gold mining activities in West Nusa Tenggara, particularly in Sumbawa Regency. “We have the initial information, not only in Sumbawa,” said Amri, Head of Walhi West Nusa Tenggara, on Monday, January 13, 2025.
According to Walhi, illegal gold mining operations in Sumbawa have led to deforestation. Mining activities in Lantung District alone have impacted more than 10 hectares of land per site, and satellite imagery data reveals numerous such sites. Amri attributed the rampant illegal mining activity to weak oversight and the absence of clear and effective policies to address this issue.
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