South Sumatra Police Seals Illegal Mines in Banyuasin

The South Sumatra Regional Police sealed the activities of unauthorized land mining (C mining) in Sako Village, Rambutan District, Banyuasin, after it was found that dredging activities were outside the licensing area. (ANTARA/HO/Polda Sumsel)

PALEMBANG - The South Sumatra Police (Polda Sumsel) sealed the activities of unauthorized land mining (C mining) in Sako Village, Rambutan District, Banyuasin Regency, after it was found that dredging activities were outside the licensing area.

Head of Public Relations of the South Sumatra Police, Kombes Nandang Mu'min Wijaya, said the action was carried out on Friday (20/2) by personnel from the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) through Subdit IV Tipidter after investigating the alleged illegal mining activities carried out by CV Putra Sumatera Mandiri.

"We secured two units of Kobelco brand excavators, one unit of CAT brand bulldozer, one unit of XCMG brand loader, and one unit of CAT brand grader. In addition, five operators and two truck drivers were taken to the South Sumatra Police for inspection," he said as reported by ANTARA, Monday, February 23.

In addition to securing heavy equipment, investigators coordinated with the South Sumatra Provincial Energy and Mineral Resources Agency (ESDM) to check the legality of the mining activities.

Based on the results of checking the coordinate points, the excavation activity was found to be outside the area listed in the Mineral Mining Permit (SIPB). The area of land excavated outside the permit is estimated to be around 0.5 hectares.

Meanwhile, the Director of Special Criminal Investigation of the South Sumatra Police, Kombes Pol Doni Sembiring, said investigators had increased the handling of the case to the investigation stage after the case was held.

"We will investigate all licensing documents and hold the company accountable if it is proven to have violated legal provisions," he said.

The identity of the company owner with the initials M alias D has been bagged by investigators. Currently, the police are still examining witnesses, collecting additional evidence, and completing the investigation administration.

For this alleged violation, the responsible parties are threatened with imprisonment under Article 158 in conjunction with Article 35 of Law Number 3 of 2020 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining with a threat of imprisonment and a fine.

All the heavy equipment that was secured was temporarily deposited as evidence at the Rambutan Police. The police emphasized that they would continue to take firm action against illegal mining practices that have the potential to damage the environment and harm the state.