ESDM Partners with University to Reform Gunung Botak Gold Mine Governance
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is conducting a study on the governance of the Gunung Botak mining area in Buru Regency, Maluku Province. The ministry is partnering with the academic sector, specifically Pattimura University, to formulate better natural resource management policies.
Director General of Law Enforcement at the ESDM Ministry, Rilke Jeffri Huwae, explained that the involvement of academics aims to produce a scientific basis for central and regional government policies. He stated that this collaboration could help the people of Maluku benefit from the mining sector.
“The hope is that the harmonisation of the roles of higher education institutions and local governments can synergise, so that the management of the Gunung Botak mining business provides benefits to the community without causing negative impacts,” he said on Wednesday (24/6/2026).
The restructuring effort is motivated by the complex governance challenges currently facing Gunung Botak. Operations in the mining area are managed by several holders of People’s Mining Permits (IPR) who still depend on external capital owners and technological control.
“In addition, strengthening local government control over community mining activities is important to ensure that the utilisation of mineral resources can provide optimal benefits for the welfare of local communities, while minimising risks to environmental management and recovery,” he added.
Through a scientific study approach with the university, the ministry is attempting to map all potential impacts from legal, technical operational, commercial, and environmental sustainability aspects. This is considered a commitment by the central government to uphold good mining practices.
“The input, ideas, and critical reviews submitted by Pattimura University academics will be directly integrated as the main substance in the preparation of the Study on the Effectiveness of Gunung Botak Mining Business Management,” he concluded.
Previously, in May 2026, the Directorate General of Law Enforcement of the ESDM Ministry, together with law enforcement officials, successfully dismantled illegal gold mining practices at Gunung Botak. Investigators found at least two pieces of evidence pointing to suspected unlicensed mining crimes in the area.
Based on the collected evidence and a case review held on 22 May 2026, a violation of Article 158 of Law Number 3 of 2020 concerning Amendments to Law Number 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining is suspected.
“On that basis, the case handling status has been elevated to the investigation stage. The legal process will continue until the stage of naming suspects in accordance with applicable laws and regulations,” Jeffri explained.
The investigation into illegal mining activities, following a control operation by the XV Pattimura Regional Military Command coordinated with the ESDM Directorate General of Law Enforcement, uncovered facts of illegal mining by PT X. These activities included opening mine access roads, constructing soaking ponds for gold processing facilities, and building employee mess halls.
Meanwhile, law enforcement officials, specifically the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) together with the Maluku Provincial Government, also conducted a crackdown on illegal gold mining activities in the area. The land clearing operation involved an integrated team to halt environmental damage.
The main task of the integrated team was to clear the land of illegal miners. In addition to clearing the mining site, sweeps were also conducted in surrounding areas used as temporary housing or basecamps and gold processing sites.
“There is no place in the land of Maluku for illegal miners,” said Major General Dody Triwinarto, Commander of the XV/Pattimura Regional Military Command.
During the sweep, the team found 16 foreign nationals from China conducting illegal mining. Officers also discovered a hut used as a café selling alcoholic beverages and a site for prostitution near the mining area.
The 16 foreign nationals have been detained and handed over to immigration authorities for processing according to applicable regulations. The findings also serve as an evaluation of the supervision of foreign nationals, which is considered still weak in the Buru Island and Maluku regions.
The formation of the integrated team is an effort by law enforcement and local government to prevent environmental damage and social problems. Furthermore, the crackdown was carried out to maintain security stability and protect the state from illegal mining activities.