Forest Task Force Shuts Down 275.36-Hectare Illegal Gold Mine
The crackdown on unlicensed mining in Central Papua has resulted in the closure of a 275.36-hectare gold-mining site owned by PT Kristalin Ekalestari. Located in Makimi district, Nabire regency, the site has now been taken over by the state, Detik Finance reported.
The move forms part of law enforcement action against illegal mining in forest areas. In addition to closing the site, the government has revoked the company’s mining business licence.
The operation is being carried out under Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025, which provides the legal basis for the Forest Area Regulation Task Force (Satgas PKH) to take action against activities that violate rules in forest areas.
The revocation of PT Kristalin Ekalestari’s mining business licence was formalised in Investment and Downstreaming Minister/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Head Decree No. 20261012-01-0001, dated 12 October 2026. The decision complements the enforcement action against the mining area.
Defence Minister and Satgas PKH Steering Committee Chair Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said action against illegal mining would continue despite various obstacles. He stressed the importance of national unity in supporting the task force’s work in accordance with the applicable regulations.
In a written statement cited on Friday (23 October 2026), Sjafrie said: “We remain committed to carrying out the PKH’s duties. We recognise that there has been considerable resistance, but with national unity, based on Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025, God willing, we will resolve everything.”
State to hand mine management to Antam
Following the takeover of the mining area, the government plans to entrust its management to the state-owned enterprise PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam). Attorney-General Sanitiar Burhanuddin announced the plan on the same occasion.
Antam is expected to take on two roles: investor and mining operator. Under this arrangement, the state-owned company would not only provide capital but also take part directly in the mine’s operations.
Burhanuddin said management by a state-owned company was intended to ensure that the acquired mineral resources would be managed for the benefit of the public. Handing the site to Antam is part of the government’s plan for the mining area.
Burhanuddin said: “We will hand this mine over to a state-owned enterprise, in this case PT Antam. We expect Antam not only to be an investor, but also to serve as the operator, so that it is genuinely managed by the state for the prosperity of the people.”
The closure of the 275.36-hectare gold mine in Makimi district, the revocation of PT Kristalin Ekalestari’s mining licence and the plan for Antam to manage the site are all part of the enforcement of forest-area rules. These measures are being implemented under Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025.