ASGM status in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) obviously contributes to serious environmental and health issue for miners, nearby populations, and larger community when the use of mercury (Hg) occurs. Mercury amalgamation is used as a gold recovery technique by 10-12 million ASGM miners around the world and a predicted around 1000 tonnes of mercury are discharged into the environment every year as a result of poor mining practices. Exposure to mercury can cause serious health effects for future generation, and miners and their families are vulnarable group to expose with mercury vapor and methyl mercury contaminated food in ASGM areas, resulting in increase of levels of mercury in human specimens. Thus, investigating the the effects of mercury on the environment and people health are urgently necessary for developing a better solution to eliminate further mercury contamination to environment in West Nusa Tenggara (WNT) Province. A field survey had been conducted for this research in two main ASGM spots in WNT Province: Sekotong-Lombok island and Taliwang-Sumbawa island. As part of the study, an initial health survey and socio-economic of workers/miners was conducted. Volunteer participants at sampling locations across Sekotong-Lombok and TaliwangSumbawa (exposed; indirect exposed; non exposed groups) answered a questionnaire, and allowed the sampling of hair for subsequent analysis. The ore, tailing, plants and soil samples were also collected for investigating Hg concentration on the substances. The results found that the impact of ASGM on increasing economic activity leading to jobs, income and opportunities for social development is positive. However, there is risk of contamination in soil and plants environment through mining activity and high Hg concentration discovered in human body in a short time of ASGM activity. The environmental sustainability of mining can be better regulated within legalised areas. Environmental monitoring will define unacceptable risk and allow for advanced implementation of remedial measures before an uncontrollable disaster occurs.

Risk of Mercury Exposure from Fish Consumption at Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining Areas in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

“…This period was much shorter than the 14.8 years needed to show specific clinical manifestations in previous reports 13. Krisnayanti found similar evidence of mercury exposure around Taliwang ASGM activities where the mean concentrations of mercury in hair of exposed, indirectly exposed and non-exposed groups were 13, 1.3 and 0.56 μg/g, respectively 14. The ASGM sector in Taliwang has a large migrant worker population, which is an important economic support to the local community, but ASGM activities involve high mercury use and illegal mercury trading.…”

“…In contrast, ASGM activities in Taliwang began in 2010, and mining activity has gradually increased without signs of stopping compared to Sekotong. In 2013, there were around 5000 trommel (using 250–500 gram of mercury/trommel) and 95 cyanidation tanks involving around 15,380 miners 14…”

Resource extraction and infrastructure threaten forest cover and community rights

“…Over 45% of East and South Kalimantan has been allocated for mining, mostly for coal, and between 2009 and 2011 one-quarter of all deforestation in Kalimantan was due to the clearance of forest within coal-mining concessions (53). ASGM is also a growing threat to Indonesia’s forests, with approximately one million ASGM miners across the archipelago (54, 55), with particular concentrations in conservation areas. The strategic environmental assessment of Indonesia’s 2011–2025 development strategy, based on infrastructure and natural-resource extraction concluded that the strategy could put US$490 billion of natural capital at risk annually, although actual impacts were deemed likely to be lower (56).…”

Distribusi Pencemaran Merkuri Di Das Batanghari Sumatera

“…Sungai ini melalui beberapa kabupaten di dua provinsi tersebut. Salah satu kabupaten yang dilalui adalah Kabupaten Darmasraya yang merupakan wilayah dengan aktifitas pertambangan emas tradisional yang relatif tinggi [12], [13] [26]. Penelitian [25] di Bombana, Sulawesi Tenggara bahkan menyebutkan bahwa pendapatan PESK di Bombana lebih tinggi daripada pendapatan PESK di Jawa, serta lebih tinggi daripada pendapatan masyarakat yang bekerja pada sektor lain di Bombana.…”