Indonesia has charged 24 foreign nationals as criminal suspects in an illegal gold mining operation in the Maluku region. The suspects allegedly built infrastructure for the mines, and violations could lead to five-year prison sentences.
The charges highlight Indonesia's efforts to combat illegal mining operations, particularly those involving foreign nationals, and underscore the legal consequences for such activities. It also points to ongoing challenges in resource-rich regions like Maluku and Papua.
Indonesia has charged 24 foreign nationals as criminal suspects in an illegal gold mining operation in the country's Maluku region, the energy ministry announced. The suspects are accused of building infrastructure, including roads and processing facilities, for the illegal mines around the Gunung Botak area.
Violations of Indonesian law in such cases can carry maximum prison sentences of five years. The ministry did not disclose the nationalities of the suspects or the amount of gold produced. State news agency Antara reported last month that 24 Chinese nationals working under the sponsorship of local company PT Harmoni Alam Manise had been detained for questioning in Gunung Botak.
Of the 24 foreign nationals named as suspects, 12 are currently detained, while the other 12 are at large and outside of Indonesia's jurisdiction. Two Indonesian nationals were also named as criminal suspects in connection with the operation. This is not the first instance of illegal mining involving foreign nationals in Indonesia; police in Papua arrested four Chinese nationals last year for similar activities.