SERDANG BEDAGAI — Operations at an alleged illegal Galian C (sand and gravel) mining site in the Senayan area of Sei Rampah Subdistrict, Serdang Bedagai Regency, continue to run smoothly without any noticeable intervention from local authorities. Heavy equipment and dump trucks are regularly observed extracting land materials, sparking growing public outrage.
The persistent operation of the unauthorized mining activity has led local residents and community observers to question the commitment of the Serdang Bedagai Police (Polres Sergai). Public skepticism is mounting regarding who might be backing the enterprise, as the operators appear completely unfazed by existing environmental and legal regulations.
Community activists have voiced sharp criticism, stressing that unchecked illegal excavation threatens the surrounding ecosystem and risks causing severe infrastructure damage to public roads. They are demanding that the Police Chief (Kapolres) of Serdang Bedagai take immediate, firm action to shut down the illegal site and prosecute those responsible.
According to Law No. 3 of 2020 amending Law No. 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining, conducting mining operations without a official Mining Business License (IUP) is a severe criminal offense. Article 158 explicitly states that unauthorized mining carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to IDR 100 billion.
Beyond legal violations, illegal Galian C activities in North Sumatra frequently trigger long-term environmental issues. Unregulated land excavation severely exacerbates soil erosion, disrupts natural drainage systems, and leaves surrounding residential areas vulnerable to landslides and flash flooding during heavy rainy seasons.
As public pressure continues to build, local civil society groups are urging the North Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumut) to intervene directly if local district law enforcement fails to demonstrate transparency and decisive enforcement in halting these illegal mining activities.
