Police Dismantle Illegal Gold and Mineral Mining Operation in South East Sulawesi, Seize 20 Tonnes of Antimony
The Directorate of Specific Criminal Acts (Dittipidter) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Directorate (Bareskrim) together with Bombana Police Station has dismantled illegal gold mining activities in Bombana, South East Sulawesi Province. The operation was part of an investigation into suspected illegal mining offences within the concession area of a mining company.
“Investigation into suspected illegal gold mining offences located on the concession land of PT AABI and PT Panca Logam in Bombana Regency,” said Sardo Sibarani, Deputy Head of Division II Dittipidter Bareskrim National Police, in a statement on Tuesday (10 March 2026).
Sibarani explained that during the operation, investigators targeted two locations with different activities but still related to suspected offences in the minerals and coal sector.
The first enforcement action was carried out on Friday (6 March) at approximately 17:00 Central Indonesia Time at an illegal gold mining location, or mining without a permit (PETI), in Wumbubangka, Bombana. The location was suspected to be within the Mining Business Licence (IUP) area belonging to PT AABI/PLM.
From that location, officers secured equipment used for illegal mining activities, including two diesel engines and two water pump machines. Additionally, investigators also secured mining materials and interviewed four witnesses present at the location.
“The witnesses have been interviewed and are currently being investigated further and developed by investigators. Activities at the location are suspected to be managed by an individual named N,” said Sibarani.
On the same day, at approximately 23:00 Central Indonesia Time, officers followed up on information regarding another location still related to suspected illegal mining offences. The second location was in Lameroro, Bombana, consisting of a storage warehouse for antimony ore allegedly sourced from unlicensed mining.
At this location, investigators discovered a pile of antimony ore packed in sacks with an estimated total of approximately 20 tonnes. The material could not provide valid documentation of its origin.
Officers then interrogated several people at the location. Four individuals were detained.
“At the second location, investigators detained four people who were at the warehouse at the time of the incident,” explained Sibarani.
The perpetrators in this case face prosecution under Articles 158 and 161 of the Minerals and Coal Law (Mining Law) regarding unlicensed mining activities.
Bareskrim is currently conducting further investigation of witnesses and evidence to uncover the network and parties responsible for the illegal mining activities in the Bombana area.