Forestry Ministry Uncovers Illegal Mining Route in NTB's Tanjung Tampa Nature Park
The Ministry of Forestry has successfully uncovered the suspected transportation of illegal mining products from the Tanjung Tampa Nature Tourism Park conservation area in West Nusa Tenggara and detained eight individuals in connection with the case.
In a statement confirmed from Jakarta on Wednesday, Aswin Bangun, Head of the Forestry Law Enforcement for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara region, explained that a joint operation by the Ministry, the NTB Environmental Agency, and the military and police at Tanjung Tampa Nature Tourism Park in Central Lombok Regency resulted in the detention of eight people involved in transporting 157 sacks of rock suspected to contain gold on 13 July 2026.
"Our investigation is not solely focused on the eight people detained. Investigators are continuing to trace the parties who ordered the activity, financed the operation, provided the transport, stored, received, or profited from this illegal mining," Aswin said.
He explained that the case began with a tip-off from the public regarding vehicles repeatedly transporting sacks of rock material from around the Mount Prabu area. Investigators are currently examining the roles of each party, the origin of the material, ownership of the transport vehicles, the intended delivery destination, and the possible involvement of other parties who ordered, financed, stored, received, or profited from the illegal mining activity.
The Ministry’s Director General of Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, stated that the protection of conservation areas is part of the state’s commitment to safeguarding the sustainability of natural resources and ensuring that protected spaces do not become objects of illegal exploitation.
"The state must not give space to activities that damage the function of an area for the profit of a few parties. Forestry law enforcement will continue to be directed at breaking the entire chain of crime, from field perpetrators to those who control, finance, and enjoy the proceeds of the crime," Januanto said.