Banyuwangi Responds to Gold Mining Land Damage

Banyuwangi Takes Action Against Gold Mining Environmental Damage

Government Response to Unauthorized Operations

Tempatdonasi.com – The local administration in Banyuwangi has officially addressed growing concerns regarding unauthorized gold extraction activities occurring within the Roworejo section of Pancer Village. These operations are situated in Sumberagung Village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Pesanggaran District in East Java province. Bayu Hadiyanto, serving as the acting head of the Banyuwangi Environmental Agency, known locally as DLH, has issued a call for immediate cessation of these unpermitted mining activities. This response demonstrates how Banyuwangi responds to gold mining challenges that threaten local ecosystems and agricultural communities.

Through a text communication sent to Tempo news agency on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Bayu expressed hope that these unauthorized mining ventures would be both halted and properly regulated going forward. His statement emphasized the need for structured oversight of these operations to prevent further environmental degradation in the region. The timing of this announcement coincides with increased community complaints about water quality and crop damage in the area.

Environmental Compliance and Regulatory Framework

According to Bayu Hadiyanto, the problematic gold mining operations suffer from multiple deficiencies. Beyond lacking proper licensing, these activities also fail to meet established environmental quality standards. The acting environmental agency head announced plans to submit comprehensive reports regarding the illegal mining operations to the Environmental Law Enforcement office, referred to as Gakkum, within East Java Province. This coordinated approach shows how Banyuwangi responds to gold mining violations through proper legal channels.

“We will pass this information to the East Java Gakkum for further action,” Bayu stated clearly regarding the next steps in addressing the situation.

Working alongside the provincial Gakkum office, the Banyuwangi DLH intends to perform thorough on-site examinations. Bayu explained that joint field monitoring and evaluation activities would be conducted to assess the full extent of the environmental impact caused by these operations. Officials plan to document soil contamination levels and water quality measurements across affected areas.

When discussing the regulatory basis for addressing gold mining in the area, Bayu referenced several key legal instruments. These include Article 6 Paragraph 1 of Law No. 3/2020 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining, Circular No. 1.E/HK.03/MEM.B/2022, and Article 2 Paragraph 11 of Presidential Regulation No. 55/2022 which addresses the delegation of mining licenses. Bayu clarified that for metallic mineral extraction, particularly gold mining, complete regulatory authority belongs to the central government rather than local entities. This clarification helps explain why certain enforcement actions require national-level coordination.

Community Impact and Mining Methods

Previous reports have highlighted how illegal gold mining activities on Mount Lompongan have endangered hundreds of hectares of agricultural land. These crops belong to local farmers operating within the social forestry zone of Pancer Village. The miners’ application of cyanide leaching techniques has resulted in significant mud sedimentation within the local river system. This sedimentation has subsequently triggered flooding during wet seasons, which inundates residential farmlands and causes additional damage to crops. The environmental toll continues to mount as mining operations expand.

“Their justification is that the miners are simply trying to make a living,” Edi Lasmono explained on Tuesday regarding the community’s initial reluctance to take stronger action.

Edi Lasmono, who serves as a leader within the local farming community in Sumberagung Village, shared that despite serious concerns among residents, many felt unable to stop the mining operations. He noted that cyanide-based gold processing currently takes place across three or four separate locations in the area. Edi described the mining process in detail, explaining that workers use water hoses to blast soil, which then passes through filtering mats. The remaining material contains a soft deposit that gets dumped directly into the river, flowing downstream and causing damage to agricultural lands. This method, while simple, creates lasting environmental consequences.

The situation has drawn attention to the broader challenges facing communities where informal mining activities intersect with agricultural livelihoods and environmental protection. Local residents continue to monitor the situation while awaiting government intervention to ensure proper enforcement of mining regulations and environmental standards in the region. As Banyuwangi responds to gold mining issues, stakeholders hope for sustainable solutions that balance economic needs with ecological preservation.