JakartaPost/Tempo/Antara-Oct 28, 2025
The House of Representatives has urged the government and law enforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate illegal gold mining activities near the Mandalika tourism hub in West Nusa Tenggara, which allegedly involve foreign nationals and reportedly yield around three kilograms of gold each day. Lalu Hadrian Irfani, Deputy Chair of the House Commission X overseeing tourism and the creative economy, said that illegal mining activities not only violate the law but also damage the environment and jeopardize the economic future of local communities. “The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and the Forestry Ministry must take swift action and conduct a joint investigation. Law enforcement should not stop at those working in the field but must also pursue the masterminds and people who fund these illegal operations, especially if foreign nationals are involved,” he said on Sunday as quoted by Tempo.co. The National Awakening Party (PKB) politician said the presence of illegal mining activities near Mandalika is deeply concerning and ironic, given that the area is one of Indonesia’s flagship tourism destinations where environmental preservation and security should take top priorities. “The government is working to develop Mandalika into a world-class tourism hub. The presence of illegal gold mining in the surrounding area could tarnish the region’s image and discourage potential investors,” he said. Last week, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that a massive illegal gold mine was operating in Sekotong District on Lombok, just an hour’s drive from the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ), home to Indonesia’s MotoGP international circuit. “We received this information in August. The mine is reportedly managed and operated by Chinese nationals and could yield three kilograms of gold per day, translating to an estimated gross profit of Rp 1.08 trillion per year,” KPK investigator Dian Patria said on Friday, as quoted by Antara. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2025/10/28/house-calls-on-government-to-investigate-massive-illegal-gold-mining-near-mandalika.html.
