Police Secure 159 Suspects of Illegal Mining in West Papua Throughout 2025

Head of the West Papua Police, Inspector General of Police Johnny Eddizon Isir (left) during a press conference in Manokwari, Wednesday, (31/12/2025). ANTARA/Fransiskus Salu Weking

West Papua Regional Police (Polda) said the number of suspects secured from 27 cases of illegal or unlicensed mining during 2025 was 159 people.

Head of the West Papua Police, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir in Manokwari, Wednesday, said his party also seized evidence in the form of 21 units of excavators and approximately 2,074.4 grams of gold.

"The status of all cases is at stage II, the evidence and the suspects have been transferred to the prosecutor's office," Isir said at a press conference.

According to him, illegal mining practices not only harm the country in terms of revenue, but also have a serious impact on environmental damage and have the potential to cause natural disasters.

The police together with local government agencies are committed to increasing supervision by establishing an integrated post to prevent illegal mining activities from operating again.

"Gold mining activities in the territory of West Papua do not have permits. Of course, massive supervision requires the support of all parties," he said.

In addition, he said, the West Papua Police also held the Peti Mansinam Operation on October 9-10, 2025 and managed to find four units of excavators and repatriate 37 illegal miners.

The operation was then continued on November 17-20, 2025 by conducting a search in four locations that were illegal mining locations and seized nine excavator monitors.

"Once again I emphasize, gold mining activities in West Papua do not have permits except for one in Teluk Wondama Regency," he said.

Since 2024, he said, the West Papua Police has encouraged the issuance of people's mining business permits (IPR) as an effective solution to optimize the legal management of non-renewable natural resources.

This is aimed at making the exploration of natural resource wealth more controlled in accordance with the principle of sustainability by taking into account environmental, social, and welfare aspects of local communities.

"Now the discussion of people's mining permits is at the level of the regional government and the central government. This is an effective solution to prevent illegal mining activities," said Isir.

According to him, the utilization of natural resources in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations has a positive impact on the local economy and the local community, especially the owners of ulayat rights.

The legality of mine management through the issuance of IPR will also close the opportunity for security personnel who often take advantage of the opportunity to reap personal benefits.

"Now we are watching left and right. If it is licensed, there is no member (of the security apparatus) who plays," he said.

He said the West Papua Police would hold a meeting with the local government in early 2026 to evaluate efforts to issue people's mining permits.

The meeting was part of the follow-up to an agreement between the police, local government, and community owners of customary rights in October 2025 regarding the temporary cessation of illegal mining activities.

"After the New Year celebration on January 1, 2026, we will hold an evaluation meeting with the local government," said Isir.