Indonesian Military Raids Illegal Gold Mine on Buru Island, Detains 16 Chinese Nationals

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Law enforcement apparatus (APH), specifically the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) along with the Maluku Provincial Government, carried out a crackdown on illegal gold mining activities in the Botak Mountain area on Buru Island. The land clearance operation involved an integrated team to halt environmental damage in the region.

The primary task of the integrated team was to clear the land of illegal miners. In addition to evacuating the mining site, searches were also conducted in surrounding areas used as temporary residences or base camps, as well as gold processing locations.

“There is no place in Maluku for illegal miners,” stated Major General TNI Dody Triwinarto, Commander of the XV/Pattimura Military Regional Command, in a post on the official @kodam_pattimura account, quoted on Monday (4/5/2026).

During the search, the team discovered 16 Chinese foreign nationals engaged in illegal mining. Officers also found a hut structure used as a cafe for selling alcoholic beverages and prostitution practices near the mining area.

The 16 foreign nationals have been secured and handed over to immigration authorities for processing in accordance with applicable regulations. These findings serve as material for evaluating supervision of foreigners, which is deemed still weak in the Buru Island and Maluku regions.

The formation of the integrated team represents an effort by law enforcement and local government to prevent environmental damage and social issues. Furthermore, the crackdown is intended to maintain security stability and protect the state from illegal mining activities.