Three illegal gold miners die in Aceh Jaya landslide

Three illegal gold miners died and four others were injured after being buried by a landslide within the oil palm plantation area of PT Tunggal Perkasa Plantation 3 (TPP3) Astra in Crak Mong Village, Sampoiniet District, Aceh Jaya Regency, on Tuesday. Aceh Jaya Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head Iptu Julian Zairi said the landslide occurred in the plantation area, specifically at a mining pit dug manually by the community. “As a result of this incident, three people died and four others suffered injuries,” said Julian Zairi. The injured were identified as Edi (serious injuries) and Tahun Najimi (serious injuries), both residents of South Aceh Regency, along with Saiful (minor injuries) and Zamil (minor injuries), both residents of Krueng Sabee District, Aceh Jaya. All have received medical treatment at Teuku Umar General Hospital in Aceh Jaya. Julian said the community had been conducting mining activities at the location for approximately six days prior to the incident, despite PT TPP3 Astra having prohibited and warned them against mining there. Following the disaster, PT TPP3 mediated with the Crak Mong Village administration. As a result, the company granted a one-week period for the removal of mining equipment from the site. “The time given, starting from 16 to 22 June 2026, is to clear all equipment and stop the illegal excavation activities, because the location is within PT TPP3’s HGU (Cultivation Rights Title) area,” said Iptu Julian Zairi.