Small and traditional gold mining has become one of the alternative livelihoods for local communities in several regions in Indonesia. In Jambi, precisely in Sarolangun the people who live in the Batang Asai river area have a close relationship with the gold mine. In addition to being a farmer, the community is also involved in extractive gold mining activities. The journey of community relations with mining activities is a form of utilization of local resources. When the mining phenomenon emerges the state responds by attaching it to illegal activities. This article wants to see how the experience of local communities and state view the position of gold commodities. Then this article will also focus on how gold commodities are able to exert influence on socio-cultural relations in the community especially after resource extraction technology undergoes changes, such as shifts in livelihoods, land ownership relations, and relations between owners and mine workers.

Keywords: Gold Mining, Illegality, Land property, Livelihood.