Inp.polri.go.id - Pekanbaru. The Riau Regional Police and Kuantan Singingi Sub-regional Police destroyed 436 illegal gold mining rafts and arrested 15 suspects during the 10-day Red and White Kuantan  Illegal Mining Operation in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau.

Police have now shifted focus toward identifying and prosecuting financial backers funding illegal mining in the region. The operation aimed to prevent further environmental and river ecosystem damage caused by unlawful mining activities.

Riau Police Chief Herry Heryawan urged the Riau administration to establish legal, environmentally friendly small-scale mining permits (IPR) as sustainable alternatives for local workers.

In response, Head of the Riau Energy and Mineral Resources Department Ismon Diondo Simatupang confirmed that authorities are accelerating the permit process.

"We are pushed by the Police Chief to fast-track IPR licensing because he cares about residents relying on gold mining," he said on Thursday (13/8/2026).

(mg/ax/pr/rs)