March 11, 2026 | 10:27 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Police in Indonesia’s Lampung Province have uncovered large-scale illegal gold mining on land belonging to state-owned plantation firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara VII (PTPN VII) in Way Kanan Regency, arresting 24 people and naming 14 of them as suspects.
Lampung Police Chief Helfi Assegaf said investigators had identified 14 suspects following questioning, while the remaining 10 individuals are still being treated as witnesses as the investigation continues.
“From the examination results, investigators have named 14 people as suspects. The other 10 individuals are still considered witnesses and remain under investigation,” Helfi said in a written statement on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Police dismantled the illegal mining operation at seven locations in Blambangan Umpu District, an area that falls within the plantation concession of PTPN VII.
The sites were located around Sumatera Lintas Road in Sungai Betih Village, Martapura Lintas Road at kilometers 6 and 9 in Blambangan Umpu, as well as several points along the Betih River.
According to Helfi, the illegal gold mining activities had been operating for about one and a half years across an estimated 200 hectares of land. Authorities estimate the operation generated around Rp73.3 billion (about US$4.7 million) in monthly profits.
The calculation was based on estimates that each mining machine could produce around five grams of gold per day. Police recorded at least 315 machines operating at the mining site.
“With the price of gold at around Rp1.8 million per gram, the potential gross income from these illegal activities could reach around Rp2.8 billion per day or Rp73.7 billion per month,” Helfi said.
Authorities estimate that the total potential state losses from the illegal mining activities exceed Rp1.3 trillion.
During the operation, police seized multiple pieces of equipment used in the mining activities, including 41 excavators, 24 dompeng or portable pump machines, 47 jerry cans filled with diesel fuel, 17 motorcycles, and one car.
The suspects have been charged under Article 158 of Indonesia Law No. 3 of 2020 on Mineral and Coal Mining, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a fine of up to Rp100 billion.
Read: BNN Hunts Russian Woman Behind Bali Drug Lab
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Middle East Tensions Expected to Lift Gold Prices
19 jam lalu
Gold prices eye a rise toward US$5,245 as Middle East tensions and oil supply disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz drive investors to safe-haven assets
Gold Prices for UBS and Galeri24 Drop at Pegadaian
1 hari lalu
The UBS and Galeri24 gold prices had fallen to Rp3,053,000 and Rp3,039,000 per gram, respectively, according to Sahabat Pegadaian website.
Antam Gold Prices Plunge by Rp55,000 per Gram
2 hari lalu
Antam gold price plummeted by Rp55,000 per gram, continuing the previous day's decline.
Antam Gold Price Down to Rp3,024,000 per Gram Today
5 hari lalu
The buyback price, at which Antam repurchases gold bars from customers, also declined to Rp2,787,000 per gram.
Antam Gold Price Rises Slightly to Rp3,049,000 per Gram
6 hari lalu
The gold price from PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk has increased by Rp4,000 compared to the previous day.
Megalithic Site Found in Indonesia's Illegal Gold Mine
6 hari lalu
A resident of Dongi-Dongi Village, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, discovered a megalithic site in an illegal gold mining area within Lore Lindu National
Antam Partners with Merdeka Group to Maintain Gold Stock
6 hari lalu
PT Aneka Tambang (Persero) Tbk, or Antam, signed a gold sales and purchase agreement (GSPA) with two companies.
Attack on Iran Spurs Forecast for Higher Gold Prices
9 hari lalu
The global gold price increase was the result of the escalation of conflict following the Israeli-US attack on Iran.
Antam Gold Price Climbs to Rp3,045,000 per Gram
12 hari lalu
The buyback price of Antam gold on Friday, February 27, is Rp 2,824,000 per gram.
Antam Gold Prices Rise by Rp16,000 This Thursday Morning
13 hari lalu
The price of Antam gold, as monitored on the Logam Mulia website in Jakarta, on Thursday, rose by Rp16,000 from Rp3,023,000 to Rp3,039,000 per gram.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5486410/original/015853500_1769586166-Pesib_Kurzawa.jpg)
