Central Sulawesi Police Name 2 Chinese Citizens Suspected Of Illegal Mining In Palu

Head of Humas Polda Central Sulawesi Kombes Djoko Wienartono (right) and Dirreskrimsus Kombes Bagus Setiyawan/ANTARA HO Polda Central Sulawesi

PALU - Central Sulawesi Regional Police (Polda) has named two foreign nationals (WNA) from China as suspects in illegal or illegal mining cases in the Palu City area.

"The perpetrators of the initials LJ (62) are Chinese citizens, technician work and the initials ZX (62), a Chinese citizen, the work of a laboratory technician whose two are located in Hunan Province, China," said Head of Public Relations of the Central Sulawesi Police, Kombes Djoko Wienartono, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 4.

He explained that the Central Sulawesi Police Ditreskrimsus Tipidter Sub-Directorate team stopped mining activities carried out by the two foreigners in the Vatutela area, Tondo Village, Mantikulore District, Palu City, on May 20, 2024.

The suspect is suspected of committing a criminal act of mining without a permit, namely anyone who accommodates, utilizes, processes and or purification, development and/or utilization, transportation, sale of minerals and/or coal that does not come from IUP holders, IUPK, IPR, SIPB or permits in the form of stone/pasir materials containing gold.

When taking action, he said, the police confiscated three excavator heavy equipment units, 20 plastic barrels, four battery machines, three paralon pipes, a set of sample test kits, two 30 liter jerry cans containing 32 percent acid hydraulic chemical and hydrogen peroxide.

"For the actions of the two suspects, the state has been harmed by mining activities without a permit with a nominal value of around Rp. 11 billion," he said.

The suspect was charged with articles 158 and 161 of Law of the Republic of Indonesia number 3 of 2020 concerning amendments to Law of the Republic of Indonesia number 4 of 2009 concerning mineral and coal mining.

"With the threat of imprisonment for a maximum of 5 years and a maximum fine of Rp. 100 billion," he said.