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View all search resultsTwo illegal gold miners dead in N. Sumatra landslide, despite crackdown
Mandailing Natal regency has seen numerous landslides killing illegal gold miners in the past few years, despite crackdown against such activities by the North Sumatra provincial administration.
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A man stands next to excavators from an illegal gold mine at an unidentified location in North Sumatra on March 3, 2026. North Sumatra police raided six illegal gold mines in South Tapanuli and Mandailing Natal regencies on March 2 and 3. (Antaranews.com/North Sumatra Police)
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wo illegal gold miners died after being buried by a landslide in Mandailing Natal regency, North Sumatra, just as the provincial administration was launching a crackdown on illegal gold mines in several areas.
The illegal gold miners were identified as Erlin Nasution from Tarlola village and Zulparman from Aek Guo village. They were buried in Aek Guo village, Batang Natal district, on Saturday afternoon.
Mandailing Natal Police Crimes Investigation (Reskrim) Unit chief Adj. Comr. Tri Boy Alvin Siahaan said the case was still being investigated and police have questioned several witnesses at the scene of the accident. He added that police officers have also visited the site as part of the initial investigation.
He added that witnesses said that a group of miners were mining gold illegally on Saturday when suddenly an unstable earth structure caused a landslide at about 4 p.m., falling on the illegal miners. It was said that both victims were unable to escape immediately.
“Both victims died after being buried by a landslide while manually and illegally digging for gold,” he said on Monday.
Tri added the victims’ bodies have been evacuated and handed over their respective family for burials.
Read also: West Sumatra mine landslide kills nine
