Police Shut Down 5 Illegal Mines in Gunungkidul

Gunungkidul Police, together with the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Yogyakarta Regional Police, have shut down five illegal mines spread across several sub-districts in Gunungkidul Regency. The closures were carried out because the mines had not completed their permitting requirements.

“Indeed, five illegal mines have been closed. These five mines consist of natural stone and backfill soil mines,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation at Gunungkidul Police, AKP Yahya Murray, when contacted by reporters on Monday (6/4/2026).

Yahya stated that the five mines are spread across three sub-districts. The three sub-districts are Ngawen Sub-district, Ponjong Sub-district, and Semin Sub-district.

“The closure of the five mines was carried out gradually starting from two weeks ago,” he said.

The mine closures refer to Law No. 2/2025 on the Fourth Amendment to Law No. 4/2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining. The five mine operators do not yet hold permits.

“They were closed because there are no permits, and if left unchecked, they could risk damaging the environment,” he said.

Nevertheless, Yahya mentioned that if the mines have completed their permits, they are allowed to operate again.

“If they already have permits, they can continue their mining activities,” he said.