In the province of Jawa Barat, there exists a significant gold mine capable of producing a substantial amount of gold annually. Managed by Unit Bisnis Penambangan Emas (UBPE) Pongkor, a state-owned enterprise under PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam), this gold mine is touted as the largest in Jawa Barat, covering an area of 6,042 hectares. Despite its prominence now, the mine had a tumultuous past, once plagued by illegal gold mining activities or Pertambangan Tanpa Izin (PETI). PETI emerged in 1988 when Antam commenced exploration in Pongkor. Initially led by experienced outsiders from Cikotok, locals later adopted the practice. However, PETI started declining in 2000 due to deeper gold veins and tighter security. By 2003, only an estimated 150 PETI workers remained. Located in Sorongan, Desa Bantar Karet, Kecamatan Nanggung, Kabupaten Bogor, Jawa Barat, this gold mine holds immense potential, capable of yielding up to two tons of gold annually. Despite PETI challenges, it continues to play a significant role in Jawa Barat's mining industry.
Additionally, Jawa Barat is also home to a cocoa farming development initiative aimed at enhancing farmers' capacity. The Head of the Jawa Barat Plantation Office, Rizky Badjuri, highlighted efforts to elevate cocoa as a primary commodity in the region. With approximately 2,878 hectares of cocoa farming areas, Jawa Barat aims to capitalize on cocoa's success, especially in regions like Barito Utara, Barito Selatan, Barito Timur, and Murung Raya. Furthermore, the government of Jawa Barat is keen on promoting sustainable cocoa farming practices. They recently collaborated with Yayasan Good Forest Indonesia to organize seminars on cocoa industry potential and cultivation in the region. This initiative seeks to diversify agricultural activities beyond traditional commodities like palm oil and rubber. Given the increasing global demand for cocoa and the declining domestic production, Jawa Barat's focus on cocoa cultivation presents a promising opportunity. It requires collective efforts and synergies among stakeholders to fully harness its potential and contribute to the region's economic growth.
