The Indonesian Government has begun taking control of forest areas allegedly used unlawfully by mining companies linked to nickel trader Arif Kurniawan.
Indonesia’s Forest Area Order and Enforcement Task Force (Satgas PKH) says an initial review identified possible irregularities involving mining activities, permits, and the use of forest land.
The task force has started identifying and verifying businesses within the network and taking control of affected land, according to Indonesian state news agency ANTARA.
Authorities may impose administrative fines and pursue asset recovery. Any evidence of criminal conduct could also be referred for prosecution.
However, the task force has not named the companies or concessions involved, disclosed the area of land affected, or identified the commodities being extracted. No findings of criminal liability have been announced.
Task force spokesperson Barita Simanjuntak confirmed during a press conference that the individual initially identified as ‘AK’ was Kurniawan.
Kurniawan is a former trader at Glencore (LSE:GLEN), although authorities have not alleged that Glencore is connected to the latest action.
A 2025 Bloomberg investigation estimated that Kurniawan and his main business partner held interests in at least 20 mining concessions spanning more than 71,000 hectares. It also estimated that his businesses handled about one-third of Indonesia’s domestic nickel ore trade.
The enforcement action comes as Indonesia reviews five copper-gold concessions that President Prabowo Subianto says contain an estimated $426.7 billion in mineral value, as previously reported by Mining.com.au.
Indonesia has also amended its mining regulations to give regional businesses, cooperatives, and state-owned enterprises greater access to mineral and coal areas, as reported earlier this week.
Indonesia is the world’s largest nickel producer and a major supplier of coal, copper, gold, tin, and bauxite.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Main image: Satgas PKH
