Illegal Mining in Indonesia: An Overview

Illegal mining, also known as illicit mining, is a complex issue in Indonesia. This mining activity is driven by economic and social factors. On one hand, some government officials pretend not to know this illegal activity. This is because they get benefits from the illicit mining.

On the other hand, many Indonesians are against illicit mining. They realise that this scheme will endanger the environment and cause many negative effects to the people.

Illegal Mining Definition

Illicit mining is the extraction of minerals, fossil fuels, or geological materials without official permits. This illegal activity typically also violates the environmental, economic, and social regulations. In some cases, illegal miners have official permits, but they break environmental laws.

What is the Impact?

Illicit mining has devastating effects on the environment, humans, and the government. Below are some of these effects.

• Land degradation: Mining activities that do not observe environmental regulations will cause deforestation, soil erosion, and land degradation. This condition will cause habitat loss for animals and plants.

• Disrupted Watercourse: These illegal activities can lead to the disruption of  watercourses, including changes in river flows. This condition will result in flooding in the spring or the rainy season and drought during the dry season.

• Pollution: Illegal mining activities will pollute the air, soil, and water with carbon dioxide, mercury, or other toxic chemicals. This pollution can damage ecosystems, leading to the extinction of flora and fauna.

• Social conflicts: Illicit mining can violate human rights and cause exploitation and violence. This violation typically results in social conflicts between miners and local communities. 

• Economic Loss: Illegal miners may cause economic losses to the government. This is because illicit mining typically involves tax evasion and corruption.

  
  

  Who is the Perpetrator?

Illicit mining is typically done by organised groups. In conducting this activity, they may get support from big investors or local authorities. Thus, corruption and fraud are common in illicit mining. Sometimes, individuals also conduct illicit mining, but on a smaller scale.

An Overview of Illicit Mining in Indonesia

Illicit mining issues in Indonesia have been present since the era of President Soeharto. Years ago, illegal miners mostly extracted gold and quarry. However, starting in the early 2000s, illicit mining has involved various mineral types and geological materials.

1. Illicit Mining Cases in Indonesia

   
   

According to a report launched by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, there are over 2,700 illicit mining locations in Indonesia. Those mining sites are located in many provinces, including West Java, West Sumatra, and West Kalimantan.

In addition, most illicit mining locations are in remote areas. Therefore, authorities have difficulties detecting these locations. However, some illegal miners are brave enough to conduct their mining activities near sensitive locations, such as national parks.

Types of illicit mining in this country include coal, mineral, and quarry mining. Most illegal coal mines are located in East Kalimantan and South Sumatra. Moreover, the illegal mineral extractions include gold, copper, tin, and nickel.

2. Modus Operandi

Illegal miners do many things to violate regulations. Below are key practices they do.

• Mining Outside Licensed Areas: Illegal miners conduct illicit mining outside licensed areas, including protected forest areas. Thus, the government will not easily detect their illegal activities.

• Document Fraud: Some illegal miners use legitimate shipping documents from licensed companies to make officials believe that their illegal products come from legal sources. Sometimes, they also use fake documents to ship their illegally mined products.

• Operating Without Environmental Regulations: Illegal gold miners conduct their activities without observing the environmental regulations. They use hazardous substances to extract the gold. 

• Protection from Authorities: Some illegal miners bribe government officials or law enforcement officers to protect their illegal activities. Thus, the government will not interfere with their illicit mining activities.

3. Impacts

What are the effects of illegal mining in Indonesia? Below are the impacts.

• Illegal gold mines in Aceh and other regions damage soil structures and pollute the groundwater. In Aceh, the size of these mines is over 3,500 hectares. Two-thirds of it lies in a conservation area. Thus, these mines endanger the flora and fauna in this area.

• In Bangka Belitung and Tanjung Puting National Park, illegal tin mining has caused deforestation and environmental damage. As a result, endemic flora and fauna in this region lose their habitat.

• In many Indonesian regions, illegal quarry mining has damaged watercourses and forests. Consequently, the locals have difficulty getting clean water and are at high risk of flooding  and landslides.

Illegal mining in Indonesia has been done for decades. Thus, it has damaged the environment and caused various disasters. To mitigate this impact, the government must stop this illegal practice and adopt an excellent disaster warning system. Please visit smsbroadcaster.com before establishing the system. This website offers the best technology to broadcast disaster alerts.