Kaltara Police Re-Regulate Illegal Gold Mines in Sekatak Buji, 35 Holes Closed

TANJUNG SELOR - The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) of the North Kalimantan Police (Kaltara) has again disciplined illegal gold mining activities in Sekatak Buji Village, Bulungan Regency.

In an operation on Tuesday, April 14, the police dismantled the mining facility and closed dozens of former mine holes.

Director of Special Criminal Investigation (Dirkrimsus) of the Kaltara Police, Kombes Pol. Dadan Wahyudi, said when officers arrived at the location, no mining activity was found.

"When we entered, there was no activity. What we did was to demolish mining sites and close the mine holes, which numbered approximately 35 points," said Kombes Dadan, Wednesday, April 15.

Kombes Dadan revealed that the crackdown, which involved dozens of Polda and Polresta Bulungan personnel, was carried out by demolishing tents with tarpaulin roofs and semi-permanent buildings that had previously been used by miners.

"This step was taken to ensure that the location is not used again for illegal activities," he said.

Dadan emphasized that this was not the first order. Over the past year, his party has repeatedly carried out socialization, appeals, and enforcement actions against unlicensed mining activities (PETI) in the area.

"It has been done before. In this year we have done socialization, appeals, and enforcement many times," he said.

Dadan also ensured that the operation carried out had no connection with the issue of the entry of mining investors in the Sekatak Buji area.

"It has nothing to do with it. This order is purely law enforcement," he said.

Regarding the results of the mine that have been circulating, Dadan said that his party has also taken action against the recipient or dealer of gold from this illegal activity.

"For the recipients, some have been secured in previous cases with gold evidence, and currently the case has been handed over to the prosecutor's office," he said.

Kombes Dadan added that his party appealed to the public not to carry out gold mining activities without permission because in addition to violating the law, it also risks damaging the environment and endangering safety.

"We hope that the public will not carry out mining without a permit, because in addition to damaging the environment, it also endangers the miners themselves. This crackdown will continue," he concluded.