PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - A joint team from the West Java Provincial Government closed an illegal mining location in Jati Village, Bojongpicung District, Cianjur Regency, Thursday (17/4/2025).

The closure was carried out after a surprise inspection revealed that the mining activity was not accompanied by a permit from the provincial government.

The joint team itself consists of the ESDM Service, Satpol PP, Environmental Service, and West Java Forestry Service, as well as the Cianjur Regency Satpol PP.

When arriving at the illegal mining location, there was an activity of dredging and transporting stone sand using a number of trucks. At that time the Team immediately ordered to stop the activity.

After that, the Team identified the workers and truck drivers and checked their mining business permits. It turned out that the mining company did not have a mining business permit and only showed company establishment documents.

Meanwhile, it turns out that some of the trucks transporting excavations do not have complete equipment such as KIR, do not pay taxes, and the drivers do not have driving licenses, and many workers cannot show their ID cards.

The Joint Team then summoned the owner of the illegal mine. From the confession of the person in charge of mining, Zul, it was found that the company did not have a permit and could only show business establishment documents.

Head of the West Java ESDM Service, Bambang Tirtoyuliono, emphasized that the inspection was carried out to control illegal mining and also to protect natural resources and the environment.

The inspection was carried out based on complaints from residents who reported illegal mining activities in the area around their homes.

"We were responsive and immediately conducted an inspection and it turned out that the mining was illegal because it did not have a Mining Business Permit (IUP) and had damaged the environment," said Bambang Tirtoyuliono.

According to Bambang, the firm stance of the regional government should be the concern of other mining companies, both minerals and metals. "Must go through the requirements that have been determined," he said.

Head of West Java Satpol PP Tulus Arifan stated that he asked mining business actors to obey existing regulations and protect the environment and nature.

"The mining did not comply with the rules by not having a mining business permit and there was environmental damage, so we closed it," explained Tulus.

Head of the West Java Forestry Service Dodit Ardian Pancapana asked mining companies to fulfill their obligations to carry out reclamation by planting trees. "We invite business actors and residents to always maintain environmental and forest sustainability," said Dodit.

Head of the Environmental Law Compliance Division of the West Java Environmental Service, Nita Nilawati, said that by not having a permit, the mining companies that were closed would be subject to sanctions in the form of fines.

"We are also carrying out environmental restoration," he explained.

After planting trees around the illegal mining area, the West Java Provincial Government Joint Team installed police lines at the entrance to the mining location.