Illegal Gold Mine Collapses in Aceh Jaya, Three Dead

A tragic incident occurred in the palm oil plantation area of PT TPP3 Astra in Crak Mong Village, Sampoiniet District, Aceh Jaya Regency, where three illegal gold miners died and four others were injured after being buried by a landslide on Tuesday (16/6/2026). Aceh Jaya Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head, Iptu Julian Zairi, confirmed the incident took place in an illegal gold mine dug manually by the community within the company’s Cultivation Rights Title (HGU) area. “As a result of this incident, three people died and four others were injured,” said Julian Zairi. Police data identified the three deceased victims as residents of Keude Krueng Sabee Village, Krueng Sabee District, Aceh Jaya Regency. The four injured victims are currently receiving medical treatment at Teuku Umar Hospital in Aceh Jaya. The seriously injured victims were identified as Edi and Tahun Najimi, residents of South Aceh Regency, while Saiful and Zamil, residents of Krueng Sabee District, sustained minor injuries. Iptu Julian explained that the illegal mining activity had been ongoing for approximately six days before the disaster struck, despite PT TPP3 Astra having previously issued warnings and prohibitions against digging at the location. The Sampoiniet Police Sector had also advised the company to install prohibition signs to prevent illegal excavation activities in the area. Following the disaster, PT TPP3 has mediated with the Crak Mong Village Government. The company has given residents a one-week deadline, from 16 to 22 June 2026, to remove all equipment and completely cease illegal digging activities within the company’s HGU area. Police are continuing to monitor the situation to ensure no further unlicensed mining activities that could endanger the lives of local residents.