Lombok Villagers Resume Illegal Gold Mining Amid Soaring Prices

RRI.CO.ID, Mataram - Residents of Serage Village, Southwest Praya Subdistrict, Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), have reportedly resumed illegal mining activities at Mount Kongbawi. The resurgence is driven by the allure of gold prices, which have risen significantly over the past few weeks.

In widely circulated video footage, several residents are seen performing traditional soil excavation in the area. They are mining for gold using rudimentary tools along the mountain streams surrounding the village. These activities are being conducted without official permits.

The Head of the NTB Provincial Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Agency, Samsudin, confirmed the reports. According to him, the spike in gold prices is the primary catalyst for the return of unlicensed mining in the region.

"This activity is fueled by rumors of rising gold prices and the temptation of quick profits," said Samsudin on Monday, February 2, 2026.

He noted that the mining began roughly a week ago, despite previous preventive measures by law enforcement. On Thursday, January 29, 2026, the Tastura 2 Mareje Sector Police, accompanied by the Serage Village Community Policing Officer (Bhabinkamtibmas), conducted patrols at the site.

However, these efforts have yet to fully halt the operations. "The number of individuals engaged in illegal mining has actually increased, involving both local residents and outsiders," he added.

Samsudin said that the NTB ESDM Agency will follow up on the situation by filing an official report with law enforcement and coordinating with the NTB Provincial Environment and Forestry (LHK) Agency. "We are continuously coordinating with the LHK Agency and officers on the ground," he said.

Previously, the NTB Provincial Administration had closed the illegal gold mines at Mount Kongbawi following a fatal landslide incident. "The site was closed after an accident that resulted in casualties," recalled Samsudin on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Samsudin emphasized that all mining activities must be licensed in accordance with statutory regulations. Illegal mining poses a severe threat to the ecosystem and risks contaminating water, soil, and air.

"Any mining activity without a permit is a violation of the law, and it is within the authority of law enforcement to take action," he asserted.

He further explained that under Law No. 3/2020 on Minerals and Coal, as well as Presidential Regulation No. 55/2022, the authority to manage mineral and coal mining lies with the ESDM Ministry. Meanwhile, the authority for non-metallic mineral and rock mining has been delegated to provincial administrations. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)