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View all search resultsRiau to legalize thousands of hectares of small-scale illegal gold mines
Riau Governor SF Hariyanto said small-scale mining in Kuantan Singingi must be urgently brought under control to safeguard the Kuantan River, a vital water source for the province that supports around one million people. The river has long been polluted by illegal gold mining, which uses hazardous chemicals such as mercury in the extraction process.
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Forest rangers close an illegal gold mining tunnel on Nov. 20, 2025, during an operation in Mount Halimun Salak National Park in Sukabumi regency, West Java. The ministry has identified some 1,400 illegal gold mines and closed 88 of them. (kompas.com/Riki Achmad Saepulloh)
T
he Riau provincial government plans to legalize thousands of hectares of illegal gold mines to bring the activity under formal regulation and limit environmental damage.
At least 30 mining blocks covering 2,655 ha across seven districts in Kuantan Singingi regency will be granted the so-called community mining permits, allowing people to mine the areas legally.
Kuantan Singingi Regent Suhardiman Amby said the move was part of an effort to organize and control small-scale gold mining, which provides a livelihood for many residents.
“The licensing framework will be regulated through a gubernatorial decree. These formal permits are expected to improve the welfare of local communities while ensuring environmental protection and workplace safety for miners,” Suhardiman said on Tuesday.
Under the planned regulation, individual miners will be allowed to operate on a maximum of five hectares, while cooperatives will be permitted to mine up to 10 hectares, he said.
Read also: At least five killed in toxic gas leak at PT Antam gold mine
In addition to limits on land size, the use of mercury and mining equipment will be restricted. Each miner will be allowed to operate only one heavy machine and one mining raft.
