Illegal Gold Mine in Gunung Botak Uncovered, Evidence Found
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), through the Directorate General of Law Enforcement for Energy and Mineral Resources (Ditjen Gakkum ESDM), has successfully uncovered illegal gold mining practices in Gunung Botak, Buru Regency, Maluku Province. Civil Servant Investigators from Ditjen Gakkum have discovered at least two pieces of evidence pointing towards alleged criminal acts of mining without a permit within the Gunung Botak People’s Mining Area (WPR).
The Director General of ESDM Law Enforcement, Jeffri Huwae, revealed that based on the collection of information, evidence, and the results of an case exposure held on 22 May 2026, there are suspected violations of Article 158 of Law Number 3 of 2020 regarding the Amendment to Law Number 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining, as most recently amended by Law Number 2 of 2025.
“On this basis, the status of the case handling has been upgraded to the investigation stage. The legal process will continue and will certainly proceed to the stage of naming suspects in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations,” Jeffri explained on the official ESDM Ministry website, as quoted on Monday (8/6/2026).
Results from the investigation into illegal mining activities, conducted during an enforcement operation by Pangdam XV Pattimura on Buru Island in coordination with Ditjen Gakkum ESDM, revealed facts of illegal mining activities by PT X. These activities included the opening of mine access roads, the construction of soaking ponds for gold processing facilities, and the building of staff quarters. Additionally, there were indications of the use of foreign workers in these operations.
During this process, Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) from Ditjen Gakkum ESDM have requested statements from officials of the Maluku Provincial Government, the Class I TPI Ambon Immigration Office, members of KODAM XV Pattimura, and the management of cooperatives holding People’s Mining Permits (IPR).
Jeffri reaffirmed the commitment of Ditjen Gakkum ESDM to take firm action against all forms of illegal mining activities. This decisive action aims not only to provide legal certainty but also to protect the rights of licensed small-scale miners, maintain environmental sustainability, and ensure that mineral resource management is conducted in an orderly and equitable manner, providing maximum benefit to the state and the prosperity of the people.
Jeffri also stated that this legal investigation is being conducted to support the Maluku Provincial Government’s programme regarding the optimisation of Gunung Botak gold mine management for the prosperity of the people of Maluku.