Nandito Putra, Jakarta – The Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) has revealed a significant volume of funds suspected to originate from illegal mining activities in Indonesia. During the period of 2023-2025, the total turnover of funds related to unlicensed mining reached Rp992 trillion.
In a written statement, PPATK highlighted the prevalence of alleged Illegal Gold Mining (PETI) activities across various regions, ranging from Papua, West Kalimantan, and Sulawesi to North Sumatra and Java. "PPATK also found the distribution of illegal gold and the flow of gold from PETI activities entering foreign markets," PPATK noted in its 2025 strategic notes on Friday, January 30, 2026.
In addition to the illegal gold mining sector, PPATK also recorded potential criminal activities within the environmental sector. Throughout that period, PPATK presented 15 analysis results and one inspection result, with the estimated criminal transaction value reaching Rp198.70 trillion. One significant finding involved the strategic commodities sector, which was deemed to have contributed to the scarcity and price increases of commodities within the country.
The PPATK's findings align with the measures taken by the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH), which claimed to have regained control of 8,822.26 hectares of illegal mining land. The spokesman for Satgas PKH, Barita Simanjuntak, stated that the illegal mining land was confiscated from 75 corporations spread across Southeast Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, and North Maluku.
He mentioned that the commodities included nickel, coal, silica sand, and limestone. "Southeast Sulawesi has 167 points, Central Sulawesi has 18 points, and North Maluku has 13 points," Barita said during a press conference at the BPKP Building, Jakarta, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Satgas PKH has also collected administrative fines from companies that violated regulations. Out of 32 corporations summoned, only 22 responded to the task force's invitation. Some companies expressed their willingness to pay the fines, while others raised objections or failed to attend the summons.
In addition to mining enforcement, Satgas PKH also reclaimed forest areas that had been converted into 4.09 million hectares of oil palm plantations. Some of this land has been handed over to state-owned enterprises and ministries to be restored to their function as protected forest areas and national parks.
– Ade Ridwan Yandwiputra contributed to the report
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2084033/ppatk-illegal-mining-turnover-reaches-rp992-trillio