Miners in Indonesia are looking to farming as an alternative to the poisoned gold mines of Indonesia

Illegal gold mining in Indonesia is a threat to human life and the environment

Indigenous villagers are encouraged to return traditional farming

Megadiverse Indonesia accounts for 3% of the global gold output

By Leo Galuh

Illegal gold mining has left a scar on the mountainous region. Workers risk their lives by digging deep into caves and hillsides.

Tempted to mine gold from the traces left by a state-run Aneka Tambang Mine (ANTAM), villagers are now engaging in small-scale, illegal mining. This has led to deforestation, and toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide have been used, which pollutes water and kills wildlife.

Critics and environmentalists called for more strict measures to end the practice, and to encourage a return of traditional and less destructive lifestyles like farming.

The recent crackdown by the police and other signs of change such as several former miners switching to farming have given rise to hope that this could be a turning point.

Sukmadi Rukmana is a local agricultural officer who helps miners to transition from traditional livelihoods.

He warned that uncontrolled mining could increase the risk for deadly landslides.

Rukmana said, "The green vegetation surrounding the mountains has been stripped away leaving rainwater to flow downhill without a natural buffer."

Supriadi was compelled to abandon mining after such threats.

"I would rather stay in small-scale agriculture like this, than return to mines." "I'm afraid of being buried, particularly during the rainy seasons," he said.

Citorek Kidul is a town of 1,800 people located 130 km (81 mi) south of Jakarta, on the ancestral land of the Kasepuhan Kidul traditional community.

Residents are digging for gold and leaving deep tunnels and pits that can't be repaired. This threatens the culture of protecting sacred forests and rice harvests.

According to U.S. Geological Survey statistics, Indonesia, which is one of the megadiverse nations with large rainforests, accounts for about 3% global gold production, along with South Africa and Peru.

ANTAM mined gold in Citorek kidul in the 1980s. The site was abandoned shortly after operations ceased.

After ANTAM's withdrawal, villagers were pushed by economic hardships and a lack state oversight to revisit the drilling sites using artisanal techniques without formal monitoring or reclamation.

As word spread, illegal mining increased.

According to local media reports, Banten Regional Police detained 10 suspects in February for mining gold without a permit. This can result in five years of imprisonment and a fine as high as 100 billion Indonesian Rupiah (about $6 million).

Local authorities are challenged to encourage less destructive methods of earning money, such as sustainable agriculture.

Jajang Kurniawan is the head of Banten Kidul Regional Indigenous Council. He said that Citorek villagers have relied for centuries on inland fishing for carp, as well as farming with rice and other types of crops.

He said that the region had no mining tradition, as it was only large mining companies such as ANTAM who began mining in the area. The Indigenous Council also never set clear mining rules.

"It has been happening for a while, and the people won't accept an outright ban." Kurniawan stated that if we tried to enforce a ban, we would end up in conflict with our own people.

He said that "customary leaders have recommended against mining but this is only a suggestion."

According to a study published in Media Ekonomi in 2022, mining is associated with the destruction of forests, the erosion of waterways, and the degradation of soil.

Digging Deep

Sumantri, a stone carver from India, chisels in depths up to 150 metres (492 feet) without wearing protective gear. He is searching for gold-bearing rocks.

He said, "It is dangerous down there. It's prone to collapsing." "We brought in timber to brace up the walls."

He earns only 100,000 Indonesian Rupiah per day.

Supriadi said that he led a team of 15 people who used to dig and chisel rocks, carry sacks weighing over 50 kg (110 pounds) and use dynamite in caves up to 100 meters (328 feet) deep.

Miners who work in deep shafts rely on air hoses made of plastic that are connected to generators powered by fuel above ground.

The air is dense and oppressive.

He said that many of his friends had developed lung and tuberculosis problems, probably due to the dust they inhaled while chiseling or the air from the machines.

RETURNING to the Fields

Plantations for palm oil, commercial crops, and other commercial crops are being built in many parts of Indonesia.

Communities could practice small-scale farming that respects forest areas and natural cycles if they are guided by their customary laws.

Rezki Syahrir is the CEO of Indonesian Initiative for Sustainable Mining, an independent nongovernmental organization.

He said that diversification of the economy into other areas such as agriculture, plantations, or inland fishing was needed.

Rice is considered sacred in local culture and therefore cannot be sold or bought.

They still need money for their children to go to school and to pay electricity. You can't pay your electricity bill with a bag of rice can you? Rukmana said.

He said that 10 illegal miners have recently switched to traditional farming and could produce an excess of vegetables for the local economy.

Supriadi says he's been able earn a steady - and safer-income since he quit mining in 2016. He runs a motorcycle shop.

Gold mining is a demanding job. Your body will be pushed to its limit. He said, "It just drains you."

(source: Reuters)