Authorities probe alleged illegal bauxite mining in Antam’s concession

By Romel S. Gurky

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), through its Directorate General of Law Enforcement (Ditjen Gakkum ESDM), has launched an investigation into alleged illegal bauxite mining activities in West Kalimantan, in coordination with the Task Force for Forest Area Control (Satgas PKH).

The probe focuses on PT Enggang Jaya Makmur (PT EJM), which authorities suspect has conducted mining activities without proper authorization and encroached on the concession area of state-owned miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam), according to an official statement released on Friday.

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Officials from Ditjen Gakkum ESDM and Satgas PKH have carried out detailed field inspections at the site and installed warning signs to mark the area under investigation. The alleged illegal operations are believed to pose a significant risk of financial losses to the state if proven, the statement said.

Enggang Jaya Makmur is reportedly affiliated with a businessman identified by the initials AS, described by authorities as a major mining player in Kalimantan. Investigators are examining the company’s operational boundaries and compliance with prevailing mining and forestry regulations.

According to data from the ESDM Ministry’s Minerba One Data Indonesia (MODI) system, Enggang Jaya Makmur holds an operating production mining permit (IUP Operasi Produksi) for laterite, or red soil, covering an area of approximately 999.64 hectares in Sanggau regency, West Kalimantan. The permit is valid from December 4, 2024, to December 4, 2029.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak