Central Sulawesi Buol Regency Government Discourses On The Form Of An Illegal Gold Mining Eradication Team

SULTENG - The Buol Regency Government (Pemkab) in Central Sulawesi (Sulteng) has a discourse to form a special team to curb gold mining activities without a permit (PETI) in its area.

"We will immediately take action against the rampant practice of illegal gold mining in a number of areas in Buol Regency," said Buol Regent Risharyudi Triwibowo in his statement in Leok II, Monday, June 30, which was confiscated by Antara.

He said that the control of PETI activities involved all law enforcement officers (APH) in the area.

"God willing, we will immediately coordinate with law enforcement officials to conduct sweeping of gold mining activities without a permit in Buol," he said.

He said that until now his party had only issued one permit for the people's mining area (WPR) in Bodi Village, West Paleleh District.

"So this people's mining area can be used by the community or local business actors to apply for a People's Mining Permit (IPR) legally," he said.

According to him, the local government has also proposed more than 30 new WPR points spread across the Buol Regency area.

"With the WPR and the legalization process of people's mines, we can get many benefits such as increasing Regional Original Income (PAD), Village Original Income (PADes), environmental impact control, and creating local jobs," he said.

Risharyudi said all proposal documents had been signed and forwarded to the Provincial Government of Central Sulawesi and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) of the Republic of Indonesia.

"The existence of PETI activities so far has had a negative impact, namely uncontrolled environmental damage, inequality in revenue distribution, and zero contribution to regional income," he said.

Previously, illegal gold mining practices occurred in several areas of Buol Regency such as Paleleh, Lakea, and Tiloan sub-districts.

He explained that illegal mining activities in Buol Regency mostly use heavy equipment in the form of excavators in mountainous areas and jet systems using alkon machines and large capacity generators in the river area.

"It is certain that the local government that strict steps against PETI are part of efforts to protect the environment, enforce statutory regulations, and provide space for the community to carry out activities legally and sustainably," he said.