Promote Social Order to Achieve Social and Ecological Justice for Communities to Prevent Illegal Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining

Abstract

The Indonesian National Police (POLRI) has succeeded in suppressing illegal artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) that has been taking place in Mount Botak, Buru Regency, Maluku Province, Indonesia. However, POLRI has only succeeded in creating a temporary absence of illegal ASGM. This study aims to analyse an additional role POLRI could play in achieving social and ecological justice by promoting a positive and functioning social order. We used a case study method to collect data from documentation and literature studies on illegal ASGM cases in Mount Botak. The findings of this study reveal that pressure by POLRI against national and local governments may have a positive impact on the absence of illegal ASGM. This study recommends that POLRI should, in addition to the performance of its formal role in enforcing the law against illegal ASGM and maintaining security and order, play a role as a pressure group acting on national and local governments to promote social order and to achieve social and ecological justice for communities around local mining areas.

Resilience Capability of Indigenous People Affected by Small-Scale Gold Mining Activities: A Prevention Approach

“…The spatial patterns of ASGM activities in the two regions are influenced by the largest variable coefficients, namely community cohesion and connectedness, followed by community gap variables, community characteristics, the cohesion of connectedness, education, health, service infrastructure, environmental problems, and economic opportunities. A comparison of the spatial results of [43] suggests that changes influence The spatial patterns of ASGM activities in the two regions are influenced by the largest variable coefficients, namely community cohesion and connectedness, followed by community gap variables, community characteristics, the cohesion of connectedness, education, health, service infrastructure, environmental problems, and economic The spatial patterns of ASGM activities in the two regions are influenced by the largest variable coefficients, namely community cohesion and connectedness, followed by community gap variables, community characteristics, the cohesion of connectedness, education, health, service infrastructure, environmental problems, and economic opportunities. A comparison of the spatial results of [43] suggests that changes influence ASGM activity in terms of weather or climate, geological land-forms, and landscape ecology.…”

“…A comparison of the spatial results of [43] suggests that changes influence The spatial patterns of ASGM activities in the two regions are influenced by the largest variable coefficients, namely community cohesion and connectedness, followed by community gap variables, community characteristics, the cohesion of connectedness, education, health, service infrastructure, environmental problems, and economic The spatial patterns of ASGM activities in the two regions are influenced by the largest variable coefficients, namely community cohesion and connectedness, followed by community gap variables, community characteristics, the cohesion of connectedness, education, health, service infrastructure, environmental problems, and economic opportunities. A comparison of the spatial results of [43] suggests that changes influence ASGM activity in terms of weather or climate, geological land-forms, and landscape ecology. Their research method is centered on the flood disaster diversification model, which analyzes mining characteristics and reflects the relationship between elements influencing one another.…”

Environment Degradation, Health Threats, and Legality at the Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Indonesia

“…The Indonesian government has quite often attempted to control illegal ASGM using police repression and military-like actions at the sites, with such incidents occurring several times in East Suwawa of Bone Bolango and in Sukabumi Regency, where the government closed the mine hole and arrested illegal gold miners [ 10 , 11 , 92 , 93 ]. Preventive efforts to halt illegal ASGM, as well as repressive measures in the form of the expulsion and forced evacuation of miners from illegal ASGM sites, have been carried out many times but have always been met with challenges from local communities and the miners.…”