JakartaPost-Nov 24, 2025
The Forestry Ministry has identified that there are some 1,400 illegal gold mines in Mount Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS) and has closed 88 of them. Rudianto Saragih Napitu, the ministry’s director for forestry offense enforcement, said that some of the mines consist of vertical shafts before turning into horizontal tunnels. “There are also tunnels that enter the cliffs before turning into vertical shafts,” he said on the sidelines of the operation to close the 88 mines at the Gunung Peti and Cibuluh blocks in Sinar Resmi village, Cisolok district, Sukabumi regency, West Java, on Thursday, as quoted by Kompas.com. Mining closures will be carried out in batches, such as the previous closure of some 200 mines on Oct. 29 and Nov. 7. “We are not blocking conservation partnerships, but they should take the roll of farming or plantations, not exploitation. That is the ministry’s outline,” Rudianto said. During the closure of the 88 illegal gold mines, the authorities confiscated 81 tents and huts and five generators. “The Forestry Ministry will work with the regional administration and other related agencies to stop the illegal mining business chain, from logistics, supply, fuel and illegal electricity installations to those who receive illegal gold and own [mines],” he said. He said that people involved in illegal mining practices from upstream to downstream industries can be charged with criminal offenses and face up to 10 years behind bars. According to Dwi, forest patrols and cross-agency cooperation would be increased to maintain TNGHS’s sustainability. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2025/11/24/govt-to-close-some-1400-illegal-gold-mines-in-halimun-salak-national-park.html.
