Indonesian Military Cracks Down on Illegal Gold Mining in Papua

The Task Force for Law Enforcement (Satgas PKH) of the Nabire Regional Command dismantled unlicensed gold mining (PETI) activities in the forest areas of Siriwo and Uwapa, Nabire Regency, Central Papua, in the early hours of Monday (4/5/2026). The operation was directly led by the Commander of the Halilintar Task Force, Brigadier General TNI Edwin Apria Chandra. The crackdown was carried out in Siriwo District and Uwapa District as part of law enforcement efforts and the protection of forest areas from illegal mining activities. The task force swept through the mining areas that had previously been used for PETI in the region. During the operation, task force personnel faced challenging terrain with drizzling weather in the forest area that had been damaged by illegal mining activities. Nevertheless, the operation proceeded until the task force successfully regained control of the forest area spanning more than 200 hectares. In addition to dismantling the illegal mining sites, officers also secured 10 units of heavy equipment consisting of six excavators and four loaders suspected of being used to support illegal mining activities. Several heavy equipment operators and mine supervisors present at the location were also apprehended to undergo further legal processes. The task force then froze the operations of the heavy equipment and installed control signs at several points in the mining locations. In this operation, the Satgas PKH received support from the territorial units of Kodam XVII/Cenderawasih and Korem 173/Praja Vira Braja to maintain security stability and protect the conservation of natural resources in Central Papua.