JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) through the Directorate General of Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum) found piles of coal that were not owned by a number of loading docks for mining goods (jetty) along the Mahakam River.
Director General of Law Enforcement of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jeffri Huwae, said the pile of coal weighed a total of around 50,000 tons and was suspected to have come from illegal mining activities.
"The coal stockpile was found in six different locations, spread across the coal-specific port/jetty, as well as in the mining areas in Loa Kulu and Sebulu Districts, Kutai Kartanegara Regency," he said, Tuesday, January 20.
He added that this finding was the result of security operations carried out for two days, namely on January 14-15, 2026, as part of law enforcement efforts in the energy and mineral resources sector.
Jeffri said that the pile or stockpile of coal was a state asset that was prone to loss, so the field was immediately secured by the Ditjen Gakkum ESDM team.
"Currently, the coal stockpile has been secured by installing barricades using the line or seal of the Directorate General of Gakkum ESDM, and is equipped with banners/signs prohibiting the pile which states that the pile is a state asset," he continued.
Jeffri added that the next stage would be to conduct a search related to the origin, while an assessment was carried out regarding the quantity and quality of the coal.
The process will involve independent parties, either surveyors or authorized agencies, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
"After all the processes are completed, coal will be auctioned, and the result will be Non-Tax State Revenues (PNBP) in the ESDM sector," said Jeffri.
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