Aceh Forkopimda Issues Edict to Halt Illegal Gold Mining

The Aceh Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) has issued a joint edict to halt all illegal gold mining activities and has issued an ultimatum for all heavy equipment at the sites to be removed by mid-August 2026 at the latest. “A joint edict by the Aceh Forkopimda has been signed to stop illegal mining,” said Aceh Government Spokesperson Nurlis Effendi in Banda Aceh on Friday. The joint edict, dated 23 July 2026, was signed by the Governor of Aceh, the Wali Nanggroe Aceh, the Speaker of the Aceh Parliament, the Aceh Police Chief, the Iskandar Muda Military Commander, the Aceh High Prosecutor, the Head of the Aceh State Intelligence Agency, the Sultan Iskandar Muda Air Force Base Commander, the Sabang Naval Base Commander, the Chief Judge of the Banda Aceh High Court, and the Chair of the Aceh Ulema Consultative Assembly. Nurlis stated that the edict was issued due to the rampant unlicensed gold mining activities and the use of hazardous and toxic materials, including mercury and cyanide, in several districts and cities across Aceh. These activities have caused a decline in environmental quality, threatening the survival of humans and other living creatures. The edict also reminds anyone conducting unlicensed gold mining to cease immediately, as such actions potentially constitute criminal offences under Law Number 3 of 2020 concerning Amendments to Law Number 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining. It is also regulated under Law Number 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management, Law Number 18 of 2013 on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction, and Law Number 41 of 1999 on Forestry. Furthermore, the second point of the edict states that any person involved in the procurement, storage, distribution, sale, or use of mercury and cyanide without a permit must also immediately stop their activities. The edict also calls on Forkopimda bodies at the district and city level across Aceh to play an active role in monitoring, supervising, and taking action against unlicensed gold mining activities in their respective areas. The final point of the edict delivers an ultimatum to immediately cease unlicensed gold mining and to vacate and remove all equipment related to these activities by 17 August 2026 at the latest. “If activities and mining equipment are still present, persuasive, preventive, and firm law enforcement actions will be taken against every perpetrator, financier, buyer, and other parties involved in unlicensed mining activities in accordance with statutory regulations,” Nurlis said, reading the contents of the edict. According to data presented by Aceh Regional Secretary M Nasir, the illegal gold mining locations are spread across the districts of Aceh Besar, Pidie, Aceh Tengah, Gayo Lues, Aceh Jaya, Aceh Barat, Nagan Raya, Aceh Barat Daya, and Aceh Selatan.