Tribratanews.polri.go.id – Mataram. West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Regional Police is clarifying on the illegal gold mine case in Eyat Polak and Batu Monter hamlet of Sekotong Tengah, West Lombok, such as the mined land ownership status and heavy equipment deployment.
Director of Special Criminal Investigation of NTB Regional Police, Police Grand Commissioner I Gusti Putu Gede Ekawana, in Mataram, on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, said that Police is investigating the case by asking for clarification from the related stakeholders.
"If the land is owned by someone or local residents, we will arrange them. If the land is in the forest area, we will punish them", the Director of Special Criminal Investigation of NTB Regional Police said.
The solving scenario is different as well. If during the clarification it is proven that the activities were carried out by an individual, then the Police would continue in-depth checking related to the administration of people's mining permits.
Related to the deployment of heavy equipment, the Police is investigating that as well because one of the pieces of equipment is suspected to be rented from the project manager sub-partner of a certain project in Sekotong Barat.
The mine was opened using tens of excavators in a 200-hectare land, suspected of containing gold. Around the location, there are also several gold refinery facilities using mercury.
