Muara Bungo - The Bungo Regency Government, Jambi Province, is preparing to regulate artisanal gold mining through the preparation of a Regional Spatial Plan (RTRW) as a strategic step to realize legal, orderly, and environmentally friendly mining activities. This was conveyed directly by the Regent of Bungo, H. Dedy Putra, S.H., M.Kn., during an interview in Jambi on Sunday (August 3, 2025).
Regent Dedy explained that the main objective of preparing this RTRW is to free Bungo from illegal gold mining (PETI), which has been a serious problem in the region. The currently drafted RTRW is expected to serve as a legal basis for more orderly and targeted artisanal mining management.
"We want Bungo to be free from illegal gold mining. Therefore, we are currently focused on finalizing the spatial planning so that artisanal mining can be managed legally and responsibly in the future," said the Regent.
Once the RTRW is finalized, the Bungo Regency Government will submit the document to the provincial and central governments, including the legislative body, for further discussion and approval.
The plan identifies several areas projected as artisanal gold mining locations, such as the Sungai Telang area, Lubuk Mangkuang, and the area around Batu Kerbau Hamlet. These areas are considered to have significant gold mining potential and are suitable for legal community management.
"The community can work with permits, with legal guarantees, and, no less importantly, with environmental control. That's our goal," the Regent continued.
With official permits and proper oversight, it is hoped that the community can conduct mining activities legally, safely, and profitably. Furthermore, environmental preservation is also a priority in this program to prevent environmental damage caused by illegal mining practices.
Previously, efforts to regulate illegal gold mining in Bungo Regency were intensively carried out through the PETI Task Force (Satgas PETI), which consists of various elements such as the police, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and government agencies. In this joint operation, the Task Force employed a persuasive approach but also did not hesitate to take decisive action, such as burning mining rafts and confiscating machinery and heavy equipment used in illegal operations.
With the spatial planning and legalization of community mining, the Bungo Regency Government hopes to create a balance between improving community welfare and sustainable environmental preservation.
Keep up the spirit Bungo, hopefully the region will become more advanced
Terima Kasih, Pak @Sudirman Chan
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