Taking A Protected Motorbike, Governor Stops Illegal Mining Activities In Bengkulu

Illegal coal mines located in the protected forest area of Bukit Daun, Central Bengkulu Regency. (ANTARA)

The Provincial Government ensures that illegal mining activities in the Bukit Daun protected forest, Bengkulu Regency and a number of heavy equipment belonging to miners have been confiscated. "Currently, illegal coal mining in the Bukit Daun protected forest area has been stopped and the police have carried out investigations and confiscated operational equipment," said Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, March 1. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Commission I of the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) Bengkulu Province, Dempo Xler, said that the existence of illegal mines within the protected forest area was a robbery of state assets so that it had to be followed up. Therefore, he asked the local government to evaluate the existence of mining companies in Bengkulu and ensure that mining companies have legal permits. "In addition, I ask the police to act and establish suspects in this case so that there are no more findings of illegal mines in Bengkulu Province," said Dempo. Previously, a joint team from the Environment and Forestry Service (DLHK) and the Mineral Resource Energy Service (ESDM) Bengkulu Province as well as mine supervisors have carried out inspections at that location, precisely the Lindung Forest Bukit Daun Bengkulu Tengkulu Tengah Regency.

During the investigation, it was found that there were indications of illegal mining in the forest area and the mine site was a supporting land for a coal mine owned by PT Bukit Sunur. "Indeed, there are indications of illegal mining, but the area has entered the mining area of PT Bukit Sunur, which is a supporting land, but mining is carried out from outside parties and is currently under investigation," explained Rohidin.

It is known that the Bukit Daun Protected Forest Management Unit (KPHL) Bengkulu Province, received reports from the public regarding illegal coal mining activities in the Central Bengkulu Regency area.

From the results of field checks, it is known that illegal coal mining activities have occurred in the forests of the Central Bengkulu area, which was previously the former coal mining area of PT Bukit Sunur or about 2.4 kilometers from the protected forest. "The illegal coal miners have destroyed the former mining area of PT Bukit Sunur which has been reclamationd for approximately one hectare," explained Head of KPHL Bukit Daun Bengkulu Province, Yudi Riswanda.