Aceh Residents Urge Halt to Gold Mining in Beutong Forest

RRI.CO.ID, Nagan Raya - The community of Beutong Ateuh, supported by the Pawang Uteun community, Yayasan APEL Green Aceh, and various civil society organizations, has officially sent a letter to President Prabowo Subianto, voicing a firm rejection of gold mining plans and activities in the Beutong Ateuh Banggalang area of Nagan Raya, Aceh.

Rahmat Syukur, Director of Yayasan APEL Green Aceh, said on Sunday, May 3, 2026, that the letter represents a deep concern over the imminent threats to the region.

"The letter was sent as a form of deep concern over the threat of tropical rainforest destruction, the loss of water sources, and the increasing risk of ecological disasters," Syukur explained, as quoted by Antara.

He added that civil society, together with environmental networks, will continue to oversee the issue of gold mining in Beutong Ateuh, as such activities are considered inappropriate following Supreme Court Decision No. 91.K/TUN/LH/2020.

“The Supreme Court’s decision is clear. This area should no longer be overshadowed by the threat of gold mining. Yet today, several permits have reemerged. This wounds the sense of justice of the Beutong Ateuh community, which only a few months ago was affected by a flash flood,” he added.

The community’s rejection is founded on several critical concerns, starting with the potential for an ecological crisis that could lead to widespread deforestation, water crises, and the permanent loss of local livelihoods.

Furthermore, the region’s disaster vulnerability is a major factor, as residents are still recovering from a devastating flash flood in November 2025 and fear that mining operations will only exacerbate environmental instability.

Advocates emphasize the importance of global balance, noting that the Beutong Ateuh forests are considered vital not only for local survival but also for maintaining global environmental equilibrium.

For the people of Beutong Ateuh, the forest is more than just land, it is a pillar of their heritage. Ismail, a representative from the Pawang Uteun (forest guardians) community, emphasized that the forest is a legacy from their ancestors. He noted that if the forest is lost, the community loses its history, culture, and the future of the next generation.

Local community leader Teungku Diwa highlighted the trauma still felt from the 2025 floods, which destroyed homes and farms. He said that the appearance of new mining permits just five months after the disaster, deeply wounds the community.

The people of Nagan Raya are formally calling on the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and the Aceh Administration to revoke all mining permits in the Beutong Ateuh area, regardless of whether they are official or illegal operations.

They are also urging authorities to strengthen forest protection measures to ensure the long-term sustainability of the region's clean air, water, and soil. Ultimately, the community is demanding that the government prioritize public safety and environmental health over the advancement of extractive industrial projects.

The movement has gained international traction, with environmental campaigns and petitions garnering support from tens of thousands of people worldwide, all united in the message that "protecting the forest means protecting the future." ***