PKH Task Force Shuts Down 275.36-Hectare Illegal Gold Mine in Nabire

The Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) has shut down a 275.36-hectare gold mine operated by PT Kristalin Ekalestari in Makimi district, Nabire regency, Central Papua. The action was taken to enforce the law against unlicensed mining in a forest area and is based on Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025, Detik Finance reported.

In addition to closing the site, the company’s Mining Business Licence (IUP) was revoked under an investment ministerial decree, No. 20261012-01-0001, dated 12 October 2026. The state has taken over the mining area, which will subsequently be managed by state-owned PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam). The company will serve as both operator and investor.

Defence Minister and Satgas PKH steering committee chair Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said enforcement against illegal mining would continue despite resistance. He said the task force’s work remained guided by national unity and Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025.

“We remain committed to carrying out the PKH task. We recognise that there is a great deal of resistance, but, in the spirit of national unity and in accordance with Presidential Regulation No. 5 of 2025, God willing, we will resolve it all,” Sjafrie said in a written statement cited on Friday, 23 October 2026. The action forms part of the task force’s mandate under the presidential regulation, which provides the basis for enforcement against illegal mining in forest areas.

Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin said the state would hand management of the mining area to Antam. The state-owned company is expected to run operations and invest in the site, keeping its management under state control.

“We will hand this mine over to a state-owned enterprise, in this case PT Antam. We expect Antam not only to invest, but also to act as operator and investor, so that it is genuinely managed by the state for the prosperity of the people,” Burhanuddin said.