Enforcement, Officials Burn Illegal Gold Mining Equipment In Suhaid West Kalimantan

The joint apparatus for the prosecution of illegal gold mining activities in Suhaid District, Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan Province. Friday (16/8/2024). (ANTARA/Teofilusianto Timothy)

The joint apparatus took action by stopping illegal gold mining activities that occurred in Suhaid District, Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan Province (Kalbar).

"In addition to the appeal for a ban on illegal gold mining, the joint team also took action by burning down a number of equipment used by illegal mining actors," said Head of the Kapuas Hulu Resort Police, Adjunct Senior Commissioner of Police Hendrawan, in Putussibau Kapuas Hulu, Friday, August 16, confiscated by Antara.

Hendrawan said the location of the illegal gold mine was in Batang Suhaid Watershed (DAS), Sebulai River, Pandak Shortcut River and Suhaid District Ramut River.

He said the joint team found 56 sets of suction machines carried out by a group of residents carrying out illegal gold mining activities.

From a number of illegal mining machines and equipment, including taking action by burning, residents were also asked to remove the engine from the location and advised not to carry out illegal gold mining in the Batang Suhaid River.

"Previously, socialization and appeals had often been carried out, but a group of people were desperate to carry out illegal mining," he said.

Hendrawan said that his party is still prioritizing educational and socialization efforts to open public awareness so that they can preserve the environment and if they want to carry out gold mining, they must complete the licensing documents according to applicable regulations.

Illegal gold mining activities in the Suhaid sub-district have an impact on the difficulty of residents getting clean water because the river flow that is the need for residents becomes cloudy.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officials continue to provide education, some of whom have even taken action and appeals regarding the ban on illegal gold mining that occurred in the Kapuas Hulu Regency area.