At least six tunnels have been constructed for underground gold ore extraction.
Survey results conducted in 1981-1982 indicated that the area contained a froth grade of 4 gpt of gold and 126 gpt of silver. Mining activities began in 1988-1991.
These mines include Kubang Handak, Ciguha, Kubang Cicau, Ciurug, Pasir Jawa, and Pamoyanan. They not only mine gold, but also ferronickel, bauxite, coal, silver, alumina, and provide gold refining services.
5. Gunung Mas, Central Kalimantan
The indigenous people of Kalimantan have been familiar with gold for centuries. Gold has been an important commodity in Kalimantan since 977.
The Kahayan Mining Company (Mijnbouw Maatschappij Kahajan) mined in the area.
Kahayan then ceased operations in 1903. This was due to poor mine management, coupled with the gold yield not meeting expectations and not commensurate with the costs.
After Indonesian independence, gold mining activities in Gunung Mas resumed using traditional methods. Then, in 1980, the discovery of a large-scale gold deposit in Central Kalimantan prompted the government to sign a Contract of Work (CoW) covering 36 million hectares.
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6. Mount Pani, Gorontalo
The Mount Pani Pohuwato gold mine has existed since 1898. At that time, local residents had to compete with the Dutch. The colonialists then took control through the mining company Exploratie Syndicaat Pagoeat, operating in mining blocks at two locations: Bumbulan (Mount Pani) and Molosifat (Popayato Serumpun).
The company operated under the umbrella of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
One piece of evidence of the Pohuwato mine's existence, dating back to colonial times, is a regulation requiring the Dutch colonial government, as the rulers of Pagoeat (Pohuwato), to pay tribute in gold to them through the Controleur, Jogugu, and Marsaoleh appointed by the government.
The mining area eventually passed on to the local community, leading to the establishment of a village around the mountain area, namely Hulawa Village, Buntulia District, Pohuwato Regency.
In the Gorontalo language, Hulawa means gold. To avoid divisions within the local community in the 1980s, they formed the Dharma Tani Marisa Village Unit Cooperative (KUD).
In 1987, the local community turned Mount Pani into a livelihood.