Forestry Ministry Halts Illegal Gold Mine in Bolaang Mongondow Forest, Two Detained

The Ministry of Forestry, through its Sulawesi Regional Law Enforcement Unit, has halted illegal gold mining activities in the Mobungayom Limited Production Forest area in Bolaang Mongondow Regency, North Sulawesi. During a joint operation on 9 July 2026, the team secured an excavator used for the mining and detained five individuals at the site. Based on the investigation, two people have been named as suspects. Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, stated that law enforcement against illegal activities is not only aimed at stopping violations but also at preserving the ecological function of forest areas and preventing recurring damage. He stressed that protecting forest ecosystems is a shared responsibility, and the ministry is continuously strengthening prevention, supervision, and enforcement efforts. The operation was a follow-up to public reports regarding suspected illegal mining within the forest area. After verification, the Sulawesi Law Enforcement Unit, together with the Kotamobagu Police, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the Mobile Brigade Corps, and Forest Police from the Forest Management Unit II of South Bolaang Mongondow, conducted the joint operation. Upon arrival, the team found the mining activity in progress, with an excavator actively digging material. Officers immediately halted the activity and detained five individuals: MAS, the excavator operator; APM, a helper; SH, the person in charge of the activity; RL, a supervisor; and NM, who prepared logistics for the workers. The excavator was seized as evidence and removed from the forest area for further investigation. The suspects, MAS and SH, are charged under Article 78 paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 50 paragraph (2) letter a of Law Number 41 of 1999 on Forestry, as amended by Law Number 6 of 2023, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to IDR 7.5 billion. The Head of the Sulawesi Law Enforcement Unit, Ali Bahri, said the investigation is ongoing to uncover the involvement of the equipment owner, financiers, and other parties who may have played a role. The Ministry of Forestry continues to strengthen forest protection efforts as part of Minister Raja Juli Antoni’s policy to preserve Indonesia’s natural resources.