Ministry Of Transportation Finds 4 Illegal Mining Companies During Operations In Morowali Forest Area
The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) found four companies mining without a permit after taking action against illegal mining in the Limited Production Forest (HPT) area in Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi (Sulteng).
The Director of Forestry Crime Enforcement at the Ministry of Forestry, Rudianto Saragih Napitu, conveyed the results of the field validation of the task force team against 18 mining companies in Central Sulawesi that found four companies that were still carrying out mining activities in forest areas without a permit even though the PKH Task Force sign had been installed.
"The Ministry of Forestry through the Directorate General of Forestry Gakkum is fully committed to thoroughly investigating illegal mining cases. The PPNS team of the Directorate General of Forestry Gakkum will continue to investigate this case by calling companies involved, both owners of IUP and mining contractors," said Rudianto as confirmed, Wednesday, November 5, confiscated by Antara.
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In an operation on October 25-4 November 2025, the team managed to secure 11 nickel truck belonging to PT JJA and nine trucks belonging to PT HGI. The two companies are mining contractors of PT BMU.
Also secured were nine trucks belonging to PT MMP, which is a mining contractor for PT BCPM.
The head of the PKA Halilitar Task Force, Febriel Buyung Sikumbang, said that there is a mine opening in an unlicensed forest area in the PT BMU IUP area covering an area of 62.15 hectares, the company has the potential to be fined illegal nickel mining of IDR 2.3 trillion.
"The PKH Task Force prioritizes administrative sanctions, but if the company is not cooperative or unwilling to give fines, it will be subject to criminal sanctions," said Febriel.
In a similar statement, the Director General of Law Enforcement (Gakkum) of the Ministry of Law and Forestry, Dwi Januanto Nugroho stated that the case shows the government's commitment to upholding the law indiscriminately against perpetrators of forestry crimes, especially mining activities within forest areas without a permit.
"Collaboration with the PKH Task Force has been carried out several times, namely oil palm control activities in TNTN and illegal logging in Mentawai and Gresik. This provides additional strength to forestry law enforcement, thereby strengthening the deterrent effect for the perpetrators," said Dwi.