Forestry task force targets illegal mining across 192,000 ha
Tuesday, January 20 2026 - 09:00 AM WIB
The government is preparing to take control of mining activities operating illegally on nearly 192,000 hectares of forest land, as authorities step up enforcement against unlawful resource extraction across the country.
Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki said the government has identified around 191,790 hectares of mining areas that lack the required forestry utilisation permits (or IPPKH), rendering them illegal under existing regulations.
“There are 191,790 hectares of mining areas that do not have forestry use permits, which can therefore be considered illegal,” Marzuki said during a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IV on Monday.
He did not disclose the identities or number of companies involved, nor did he specify the commodities being mined or provide a timeline for potential seizures.
Marzuki said a forestry task force has so far taken control of 8,769 hectares of illegal mining areas, with enforcement efforts continuing toward the full identified area.
Read also : Task force summons 32 miners over illegal operations, fines reach more than $450 million
“Together with the forestry task force, the Ministry of Forestry remains committed to reclaiming forest areas from illegal oil palm plantations and illegal mining activities,” he said.
The forestry task force said last week it had already seized more than 8,800 hectares of land used for illegal mining of commodities including nickel, coal, quartz sand and limestone. In addition, authorities have taken over oil palm plantations covering about 4.1 million hectares that were operating illegally in forest areas.
Indonesia’s intensified enforcement campaign has drawn close attention from the mining and plantation sectors. Earlier crackdowns on illegal palm oil plantations have contributed to global price volatility, while recent actions targeting mining activities have coincided with price rallies in several metals, including tin.
The Attorney General’s Office has estimated potential state losses and fines of Rp 109.6 trillion ($7.1 billion) from illegal oil palm plantation activities and Rp 32.63 trillion ($2.1 billion from illegal mining operations conducted within forest areas.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak