Ministry Of Transportation Finds 88 Illegal Mining Holes In Mount Halimun Salak National Park

Photos from drones show the location of an illegal mine that was successfully secured by the Directorate General of Law and Human Rights at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in the landscape of Mount Halimun Salak National Park, West Java, Wednesday (19/11/2025). ANTARA/HO-Kemenhut

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) began the operation to control the third phase of illegal mining in the Halimun Salak National Park (TN Lihat) area, West Java. As a result, 88 mining holes without permits (PETI) were identified.

Director of Forestry Crime Enforcement of the Directorate General of Law Enforcement (Gakkum) of the Ministry of Law and Forestry Rudi Saragih Napitu explained that the third phase of operation targeted the Official Mount Peti and Cibuluh-Sinar Blocks, Cisolok District, Sukabumi Regency, which managed to secure 88 mining holes and 81 tents and 5 generators/machines.

"The Ministry of Forestry will cooperate with local governments and related agencies to stop the illegal mining business chain, starting from logistics supply, fuel, destroying illegal electrical installations, to storing illegal mining products and beneficial owners," he said in a statement confirmed from Surakarta, Thursday, confiscated by Antara.

The joint operation was carried out by 80 personnel from the Directorate General of Gakkumhut together with the TN Balai Lihat, TNI and Polri. The operation was a continuation of the operation which had been carried out on October 29-7 November at the TN.

In the first operation, the joint team secured 46 tents, 11 PETI holes, 17 machines, while in the second stage of joint operations in the Cibuluh Block, Cibarengkok Block, Cieyem Block, Cibereng Block and Cinangka Block, state rights were suspended as well as re-control over forest areas, demolition of buildings, and sealing of the facilities and equipment used by PETI.

The facilities consist of buildings where PETI results are processed around 723 units, 130 PETI holes, around 20,000 iron cylinders, approximately 100 engines, 40 units of cyclists, and B3 chemicals such as mercury and cyanide.

Director General of Gakkum Kemenhut Dwi Januanto Nugroho stated that the operation was directed by the Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni so that the conservation area was completely free from illegal activities.

He expressed his appreciation for the participation of various parties in the operation and the people who reported the findings.

"We are moving measured, firm, and sustainable, not just a temporary raid, to restore the function of the ecosystem and protect the safety of citizens, especially at the peak of the rainy season and the operation will be continued with the rehabilitation of the former mining area," he said.