THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ILLEGAL MINING OF CATEGORY C MINERALS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE BALI REGIONAL POLICE

Abstract

Illegal mining of Class C mineral resources remains one of the most significant environmental and criminal law issues in Indonesia, including within the jurisdiction of the Bali Regional Police. Such activities not only reduce state revenue but also cause severe environmental degradation affecting surrounding communities. This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of criminal law enforcement against illegal Class C mining activities within the jurisdiction of the Bali Regional Police and to identify the obstacles encountered by law enforcement agencies together with possible solutions.This research employs normative legal research supported by empirical research using statutory, conceptual, and empirical approaches. Data were collected through literature studies and interviews with investigators of the Bali Regional Police.The findings indicate that criminal law enforcement has been implemented through preventive and repressive measures in accordance with Law Number 2 of 2025 concerning the Fourth Amendment to Law Number 4 of 2009 on Mineral and Coal Mining. Nevertheless, law enforcement has not yet achieved optimal effectiveness due to several obstacles, including the extensive locations of illegal mining operations, limited supervisory personnel, low public legal awareness, high economic incentives from illegal mining activities, and inadequate inter-agency coordination. Therefore, strengthening institutional coordination, improving supervision, enforcing the law consistently, and increasing community participation are essential to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement.