Two Illegal Gold Mines in Bogor Regency Sealed, Four People Arrested

Two Illegal Gold Mines in Bogor Regency Sealed; Four People Arrested

The Bogor Regency Government, West Java, together with Bogor Police (Polres Bogor), has sealed two illegal gold mines in two sub-districts within the area. Bogor Police Chief AKBP Wikha Ardilestanto said the two cases of illegal gold mining were uncovered in Cigudeg and Tanjungsari sub-districts between April and May 2026. “Four suspects have been arrested,” Wikha told a press conference at the Bogor Police Headquarters in Cibinong, Bogor Regency, on Friday (22/5). He explained the police also seized several items of evidence, including gelundung equipment used to separate soil material from metal, sacks containing rock believed to contain gold, and refining chemicals such as cyanide, caustic soda, lime, and carbon. According to Wikha, the total profits derived by the illegal miners are estimated at Rp796.8 million. He emphasised that the case disclosures form part of the Bogor Police’s commitment, together with the regional government and related agencies, to crack down on activities damaging the environment and forest areas. “We are committed to taking decisive action against all forms of irregularities and will continue to develop this case into a larger network,” he said. Bogor Regent Rudy Susmanto said the regional government, together with the TNI and the Police, will not stand idly by regarding reports from the public about illegal mining in Bogor Regency. “We will not stay silent about the suggestions, input, and complaints from the public regarding illegal mining in the Bogor administrative area,” Rudy said. He noted that the Bogor Regency government, with joint authorities, has also sealed several illegal mines in West Bogor area. The suspects are charged under Articles 158 and/or 161 of Law Number 3 of 2020 on Minerals and Coal, carrying a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and fines up to Rp10 billion.