The government’s Forest Area Enforcement Task Force (PKH) has uncovered multiple mining operations encroaching into protected forest areas during an inspection at PT Bumi Morowali Utara (BMU) in Bungku Pesisir District, Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi.

A statement released by the Attorney General’s Office(AGO) stipulates that the task force, chaired by Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, has identified 16 mining companies operating in the region, nine of which were found to have violated forestry regulations.

“There are 16 companies identified, and nine verified as having encroached into forest zones,” AGO spokesman Anang Supriatna said on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Among the companies cited for violations are PT Bumi Morowali Utara (BMU) and PT Daya Sumber Mining Indonesia (DSMI). The task force found that PT BMU’s mining operations had expanded into a limited production forest area without obtaining a permit required for the use of forest land for non-forestry activities (IPPKH) or the newer Forest Area Use Approval (PPKH).

Anang detailed that BMU’s mining site included 62.15 hectares of forest clearing without proper authorization, 46.03 hectares are within its licensed mining concession area and 15.94 hectares outside it. The violations could result in penalties amounting to Rp2.35 trillion (US$ 147 million).

“The findings indicate land clearing activities inside forest zones without proper permits. These areas are now subject to clarification and reassertion of state control,” Anang said.

The PKH task force’s broader operation covers several provinces, including Southeast Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, and Bangka Belitung, where encroachment and illegal mining remain major environmental and governance challenges.

The PKH task force, established earlier this year, is part of government’s broader effort to combat illegal land use and restore state control over forest areas. Its work aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to strengthen law enforcement in the mining sector while promoting sustainable resource governance.

High-ranking government and military officials joined the inspection in Morowali, including Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, Armed Forces Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Head of the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) Muhammad Yusuf Ateh.

The operational team is led by Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes Febrie Adriansyah, supported by TNI Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Richard T.H. Tampubolon and National Police Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) Head Commissioner General Syahardiantono.