Banten Police Uncover Illegal Mining Operation in Lebak, Seven Suspects Named

Banten Provincial Police Chief Irjen Hengki stated that the perpetrators conducted mining without permits at several locations. Their method involved excavating materials using heavy equipment, then separating sand and soil before selling to buyers.

“Materials are excavated using excavators, then washed to separate sand and soil, collected, and sold to buyers who come to the site,” Hengki said in Serang City on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

Additionally, illegal coal mining took place in the Perhutani forest area in Cibobos Village, Karangkamulyan Village, Cihara Subdistrict. The perpetrators dug into the ground until they reached coal layers, which were then sold to collectors.

Meanwhile, illegal gold mining occurred in the Mount Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS), specifically in the Ciengang Block, Cibeber Subdistrict. Gold was obtained by digging rocks, then processed using traditional methods.

“It is processed by grinding with a glundung tool until fine, then soaked for approximately three days,” he said.

From this case revelation, police have named seven suspects with initials ES (36), SA (46), AH (46), SD (47), KA (47), AD (46), and AN (47). One other person is still under investigation.

“They acted as owners of the illegal mining activities with an economic profit motive,” he said.

Police also seized several pieces of evidence, including two excavator units, sand sales documents, sales result recap books, coal samples, rocks containing gold, and gold processing tools such as glundung and blower.

Hengki emphasised that his side has stopped eight illegal mining cases in Lebak during this operation.

“This step is to uphold the rule of law and halt environmental damage due to illegal activities,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, throughout 2025, Banten Provincial Police have resolved 25 illegal mining cases, all of which have been declared complete (P21) and handed over to the prosecutor’s office.

For their actions, the suspects are charged under the Law on the Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction as well as the Mineral and Coal Mining Law, with a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rp 100 billion.

The Police Chief also reminded mining business actors to carry out reclamation or replanting in former mining areas.

“Business actors are obliged to replant to prevent floods and landslides,” he said.