The Directorate General of Marine Spatial Management of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has found illegal mining activity on Citlim Island, Karimun Regency, Riau Islands (Kepri). The DJPK stated that Citlim Island has an area of only 22.94 square kilometers.
"This Citlim Island is a small island. Currently, we are observing the remnants or mining activities on this Citlim Island," said Ahmad Aris, Director of the Coastal and Small Islands of the DJPK KKP, when inspecting the mining site on Citlim Island in a post on the @ditjenpkrl Instagram account, on Monday, June 16, 2025.
So, what is the profile of Citlim Island?
Citlim Island Profile
Aris explained that Citlim Island is a small petabah island, formed in an area with high tectonic stability. He mentioned that one of the small islands in the administrative region of the Riau Islands has characteristics such as a brownish land surface.
"When rain comes, all these sediments will enter the sea, covering the coral reefs and seagrass surrounding the island," Aris said.
He stated that Citlim Island, as a small island, is prohibited from being used as a mining area. This is regulated in the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Regulation (Permen-KP) Number 10 of 2024 concerning the Utilization of Small Islands and the Surrounding Waters.
"Mining activities on a tiny island like this is actually stipulated in the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Regulation, and is not allowed. Regarding mining on Citlim Island, it should have received recommendations from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries," Aris said.
However, Aris continued, their office has not yet received any mining permit applications from businesses on Citlim Island. He mentioned that the KKP has the authority to seal off the area.
"Because we have the authority, but they do not comply. Ideally, we should seal it. There are also reclamation activities, I think there are no permits for that either," Aris said.
Jatam Finds Mines in the Islands of Riau Islands
The Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) previously released a list of mining locations on small islands in Indonesia, including the Riau Islands Province. Through a publication entitled "Small Island Misery in Indonesia, Nature Plundered, Residents Impoverished, and Criminalized," Jatam found nearly 30 Mining Business Licenses (IUP).
Jatam mentioned several islands in the Riau Islands that have become mining locations, one of which is Citlim Island. Here is the list:
- Pulau Serasan in Natuna Regency.
- Pulau Subi Besar in Subi District, Natuna Regency.
- Pulau Karimun Besar or Pulau Nuwi in Karimun Regency.
- Pulau Bela in Karimun Regency.
- Pulau Parit in Selat Gelam District, Karimun Regency.
- Pulau Combol in Karimun Regency.
- Pulau Citlim in Karimun Regency.
- Pulau Bintan.
- Pulau Telan.
- Pulau Selayar in Lingga Regency.
- Pulau Bakung in Lingga Regency.
- Pulau Sebangka.
Yogi Eka Sahputra contributed to the writing of this article.
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