Indonesia names 26 suspects over alleged illegal mining at Gunung Botak

Indonesian authorities have named 26 individuals as suspects in connection with alleged illegal mining activities at the Gunung Botak gold mining area in Buru Regency, Maluku Province, following a joint investigation by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and the Criminal Investigation Agency of the National Police (Bareskrim Polri).

The Directorate General of Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum) at the Ministry of ESDM announced that 24 of the suspects are Chinese nationals, while the remaining two are Indonesian citizens.

The move forms part of what authorities described as efforts to strengthen governance in Indonesia’s mining sector and combat unauthorised mining activities.

Director General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of ESDM, Rilke Jeffri Huwae, said the suspects are alleged to have played various roles in supporting illegal gold mining operations at Gunung Botak.

According to investigators, those involved allegedly participated in the construction of mine access roads, processing ponds and facilities, gold refining laboratories, mineral processing operations and other supporting infrastructure.

“Based on the results of the analysis that was presented and reviewed, along with assessments of expert opinions, the Directorate General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has designated 26 suspects,” Huwae said during a press conference at the Maluku High Prosecutor’s Office on 25 June.

Of the 26 suspects, one Indonesian national has been detained at a Bareskrim detention facility, while the second Indonesian suspect has not yet been taken into custody.

Among the Chinese nationals, 12 have been detained in Ambon, the capital of Maluku Province. The remaining 12 are currently outside Indonesian jurisdiction and have been placed on a wanted persons list.

Authorities said the suspects are alleged to have violated Article 158 of Indonesia’s Mineral and Coal Mining Law, which provides criminal penalties for unauthorised mining activities. Investigators also cited allegations relating to land clearing in protected forest areas.

According to Huwae, the suspects were formally designated after investigators upgraded the case to the investigation stage on 3 April 2026 and obtained sufficient evidence through investigative activities, evidence collection and case reviews conducted on 22 May and 22 June.

“The designation of suspects was made after investigators upgraded the case to the formal investigation stage on 3 April 2026 and obtained sufficient evidence through investigative activities, evidence gathering, and case reviews conducted on 22 May and 22 June 2026,” he said.

As part of the investigation, Civil Servant Investigators (PPNS) from the Directorate General of Law Enforcement, assisted by supervisory officers from Bareskrim Polri, questioned witnesses and expert witnesses from several institutions, including the Maluku Provincial Government, the Class I Immigration Office TPI Ambon and personnel from the XV/Pattimura Regional Military Command.

Investigators also sealed and confiscated evidence at several locations linked to the case, including Gunung Botak, Namlea, Ambon and Jakarta.

Huwae said investigators are currently completing the case files before they are transferred to public prosecutors for prosecution.

“At present, PPNS investigators from the Directorate General of Law Enforcement, together with supervisory officers, are completing the case files so that prosecutions can proceed through the public prosecutor’s office. The investigation will continue to be developed as long as new facts related to the case emerge,” he said.

Authorities added that the investigation remains ongoing and may be expanded if additional evidence or new information emerges.

Meanwhile, Maluku Regional Secretary Sadali Ie said the provincial government supports the legal process against alleged illegal mining activities in the region.

He noted that efforts to address illegal mining at Gunung Botak have been backed by regulations issued by the Governor of Maluku.

“We are grateful to the Directorate General of Law Enforcement at the Ministry of ESDM for conducting the investigation and inquiry, which identified indications of criminal offences and resulted in several individuals being named as suspects,” Sadali said during the same event.

The provincial government hopes that efforts to eradicate illegal mining at Gunung Botak will benefit local communities and contribute to economic development in Maluku.

“On the other hand, it will encourage economic growth by increasing the locally generated revenue of Maluku Province,” he said.

Gunung Botak, located on Buru Island in eastern Indonesia, is one of the country’s best-known artisanal gold mining areas and has long been the focus of government efforts to address illegal mining and environmental concerns.