Not Just a Permit, Gorontalo Landslide Case Proves Illegal Mining is a Systemic Risk

JAKARTA - A landslide occurred in an unlicensed gold mining area (PETI) at the DAM location, Hulawa Village, Buntulia District, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo, on Wednesday night, August 12, 2026. At least five workers were found dead, while another one was successfully evacuated in a safe condition.

The loss of life in the PETI activity in Pohuwato shows that the problem of illegal mining is not only about permits, but also about the safety of workers and the surrounding community.

The Executive Director of the Center for Energy and Mining Law Studies (Pushep), Bisman Bakhtiar, assessed that PETI can no longer be seen as merely a matter of mining legality, but has become a public safety issue.

"PETI has become a public safety issue. So if there are often accidents and casualties, it means systemic risk," said Bisman.

According to him, PETI activities generally do not apply adequate technical and mining safety standards. This condition makes workers and the community around the location face a high risk of accidents.

"So if there are often accidents and casualties, it means systemic risk. This PETI is from the beginning of the nambang, so it does not use adequate technical and safety standards, so it is prone to risk and casualties," he explained in response to the incident.

Bisman said the threat from PETI activities is not limited to landslides. Various other risks can arise, ranging from heavy equipment accidents, environmental pollution, to flooding. "And of course the environment is damaged without anyone being responsible," he said.

He explained that this condition is very different from mining that is carried out officially and has a permit. Licensed mining companies are required to meet the principles of good mining techniques, implement occupational safety and health (K3), carry out environmental management, and undergo supervision from the government.

Meanwhile, in the PETI activity, according to him, various aspects did not run as it should. Another question arises when accidents occur because the parties responsible for mining activities and worker safety are often unclear.

"In the PETI mine, there is nothing, including it is not clear who is responsible. So when an accident occurs, it is also not clear who is responsible and how the victims are handled," he said.

Therefore, Bisman encouraged the government and law enforcement to carry out PETI enforcement thoroughly. The punishment, he said, should not only target workers who are in the field.

"The crackdown on PETI must target the entire chain of activities, including those who organize, finance, and accommodate the results of illegal mining," he said.

According to Bisman, only prosecuting miners is not enough to break the chain of illegal mining activities. Workers in the field are often the lowest part of the chain of activities.

"If you only prosecute the miners, it's just a small perpetrator," he said.

On the other hand, he assessed that the handling of PETI also needed to consider the social and economic conditions of the community, which depend on income from these activities. The government needs to provide alternative livelihoods so that enforcement does not stop at a legal approach alone.

"In addition, the community needs to be given alternative livelihoods so that the settlement is comprehensive," said Bisman.

He emphasized that the PETI issue must be placed as a human safety and environmental protection issue, not just an administrative or licensing issue.

"The important note is that PETI is not only a violation of permits, but also a serious threat to human life and the environment," he said.