NTB Governor Responds To Illegal Mining Near Mandalika Highlighted By KPK

Governor Of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province Then Muhamad Iqbal/DOK BETWEEN

West Nusa Tenggara Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal responded to information on the existence of illegal mines in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (SEZ) which is currently being highlighted by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"If you are considered close to Mandalika, all of them (illegal mines) are close to Mandalika. Incidentally, the location in question is near the south in the Sekotong area, West Lombok Regency, but not too close to Mandalika. The distance is a bit far from Mandalika," he told reporters in Mataram, Tuesday, October 28, reported by ANTARA.

He emphasized that in principle, wherever illegal mining sites are located, they remain illegal because they do not have a permit and have a bad impact both socially and environmentally.

"Therefore, it must be resolved by the government together starting from the district, provincial and central governments," said Iqbal.

Iqbal admitted that he had not read the results of the investigation regarding the existence of an illegal mine in Sekotong, West Lombok, which is currently being highlighted by the KPK.

"In fact, I am still asking for me to study the materials and see where the space that is usually played by the local government," he said.

Regarding the desire of the public to request that the Provincial Government (Pemprov) of NTB carry out an illegal mining moratorium, the former Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that there is no need for a moratorium because of illegal mining.

"It can't be a moratorium because it's illegal. If it's illegal, it must be stopped, stopped not a dimoratorium. The meaning of the moratorium is stopped," said Iqbal.

Touching on the number of illegal mines that have been recorded by the NTB Provincial Government, Iqbal admitted that he did not know the exact number of illegal mines in the area.

"I don't have precision data regarding how many it is. What is clear is that we know that there are many illegal mines in NTB, from Lombok Island to Sumbawa Island," he said.

Despite this, he said the government and security forces share the same desire to stop the existence of illegal mines in the region.

Previously, the KPK encouraged the relevant government to crack down on illegal mining near Mandalika, NTB, which is considered to be able to produce three kilograms of gold for one day.

"We encourage those who have the authority to enforce the rules," said Head of the KPK Coordination and Supervision Task Force Region V Dian Patria at the KPK's Merah Putih building.

According to him, if the government with related duties and functions does not take action against the illegal mine, the KPK will enforce it.

"If he doesn't enforce it, we will enforce it. It could be that he is part of the problem. Intentionally. That's what has happened so far," he said.

Illegal gold mining activities in the Sekotong area of West Lombok Regency are suspected to be managed by foreign workers (TKA) from China with an investment of IDR 1.08 trillion per year.

He explained that the KPK initially received information in August 2025 about an illegal gold mine which was about an hour from Mandalika.

The KPK then visited the mine site together with civil servant investigators (PPNS) of the Directorate General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Forestry.

In addition, he said the KPK received information that there was an illegal mine that was bigger than the one close to Mandalika, namely in Lantung, Sumbawa, NTB.