ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Indonesian government has stepped up its crackdown on illegal mining, seizing approximately 70,000 tons of illegal coal believed to be controlled by a mining mafia network in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan.
The operation sends a strong signal that the state will no longer tolerate the systematic plundering of its natural resources.
The seizure was carried out by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) through its Directorate General of Law Enforcement during a large-scale operation conducted from December 28 to 30, 2025. Authorities targeted multiple illegal coal stockpiles suspected of being part of an organized network operating outside the law.
Illegal Stockpiles Sealed as State Assets
Director General of Law Enforcement Jeffri Huwae said the illegal coal was found at five separate locations, including dedicated coal jetties and mining areas in Loa Kulu and Sebulu districts.
“This coal represents a significant state asset that was at high risk of being lost. We have therefore secured it as state property to be auctioned in accordance with the law,” Jeffri said in Jakarta on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
All coal stockpiles have now been sealed, barricaded, and clearly marked with official signage designating them as state-confiscated assets. The total volume seized—around 70,000 tons—highlights the scale of illegal mining activities that have long undermined governance in the mining sector.
The next phase will involve a final volume assessment and quality evaluation by authorized surveyors and relevant institutions. Once completed, the coal will be auctioned, with proceeds recorded as Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) from the energy and mineral resources sector.
Operation Triggered by Public Complaints
Jeffri emphasized that the operation was launched in response to complaints from local residents who were disturbed by the presence of illegal stockpiles. Beyond economic losses, illegal mining activities are widely linked to environmental degradation and social conflict in surrounding communities.
The enforcement action was conducted through cross-agency coordination, involving the Mulawarman Regional Military Command, the East Kalimantan Regional Police, and the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal.
The government said such cooperation is crucial to closing loopholes exploited by organized illegal mining networks.
Minister Bahlil: The State Must Not Lose to Mining Mafias
The seizure aligns with the firm stance of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, who has repeatedly stated that the government is prepared to confront mining mafias head-on.
“Anyone who violates the law must face the state. The state must be authoritative and must not lose to mining mafias,” Bahlil said.
According to Bahlil, the crackdown on illegal mining is part of a broader effort to restore state sovereignty over natural resources, including through the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force, which has reclaimed millions of hectares of state forest land from illegal use.
He added that improved mining governance would directly contribute to higher state revenues, which are then reinvested in regional development, infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Mining Must Be Orderly, Environment Must Be Protected
Bahlil also underlined the government’s push toward a more environmentally responsible and socially equitable mining industry.
“Mining operations can be optimized, but the environment must be protected. Disorder and environmental damage can no longer be tolerated,” he said.
The government has also opened opportunities for local cooperatives, community organizations, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to legally participate in mining activities, ensuring that natural resources are not monopolized by a small elite.
The seizure of 70,000 tons of illegal coal in East Kalimantan stands as a clear warning to illegal mining operators across Indonesia: the state is present, the state is acting, and the state is determined to clean up the mining sector. (AT Network)
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