Indonesia's National Police Criminal Investigation Agency confirms no Chinese nationals are involved in illegal gold mining in Sekotong, West Lombok, NTB. The Forestry Ministry has cracked down on local illegal mining in the forest area. The police investigation, ongoing since August 2024, receives full support.
On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Director of Specific Crimes at National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency, Brig. Gen. Pol. Moh. Irhamni, inspected the illegal mining site in Sekotong, West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. He confirmed, “We ensure there is no more illegal mining,” after verification in Jakarta on that Friday.
The investigation by West Lombok Police Resort began in August 2024, seizing two dump trucks and one excavator. Thirteen Chinese nationals are suspected, including HF tracked heading to Kuala Lumpur. Suspects remain at large, and Irhamni urges charging them and probing accomplices. The site is within the permit area of PT Indotan Lombok Barat Bangkit, licensed since 2019 but not yet operational.
Meanwhile, the Forestry Ministry conducted a crackdown in the Limited Production Forest Area of Pelangan RTK.07, Buwun Mas Village, Sekotong. Coordination on October 28-29, 2025, involved NTB's Environmental Agency, NTB Natural Resources Conservation Agency, NTB Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, and Korem 162/Wira Bhakti. On October 30, the team installed prohibition signs and PPNS lines at four points, including near PT Indotan's guard post.
Forestry Ministry's Director General of Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho stated, “Illegal mining in forest areas damages ecosystems and threatens community safety.” Manual activities by over 500 locals using sluices, compressors, mercury, and cyanide were detected, without heavy equipment. Enforcement proceeds gradually with a social approach.
NTB Police's Director of Criminal Investigation Kombes Pol. FX Endriadi affirmed the probe continues with witness, expert examinations, and evidence seizures. Police lines are set for monitoring, ensuring no unlicensed activities. “The police line indicates that the location is under surveillance by investigators,” he said. Per Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni's directive, crackdowns are firm, measured, and just.