Risk of Illegal Mining and the Handling Programs

Illegal mining is a mining activity that doesn’t have a permit. Without a permit, the activity is certainly uncontrolled. It violates procedures, damages the environment, neglects worker safety, and causes various social problems. The risk of illegal mining seriously threatens the safety of living things around the mining area.

What is the Risk of Illegal Mining?

Illegal mining practices in Indonesia are getting worse and becoming uncontrolled. Even though there are regulations, weak oversight, legal ambiguity, and economic pressures are driving factors of illegal mining. Abundant mining resources are also tempting, which triggers exploitation. Despite the potential of the mining industry, illegal mining carries many risks.

1. Environmental Damage

The basic impact of illegal mining is environmental damage because of pollution and the reduction in tropical forest areas. The pollution, including water, soil, and air pollution, comes from the improper disposal of mining waste.

Many health problems are caused by water pollution. Respiratory problems occurred because of inhaling polluted air. Contaminated soil becomes dry and barren, changing its structure.

The reduction in tropical forest areas that have been converted to illegal mining areas is causing climate disasters. These changes are massive and impact resilience to climate disasters.

2. Ecosystem Damage

Environmental damage is closely linked to ecosystem destruction. Why? Environmental pollution from mining activities affects the quality of life of living things in the surrounding area.

The habitat of animals and plants is reduced because forests are being converted to mining areas. Their natural habitat is lost and then resulting in homelessness and food shortages. Their survival ability is decreasing and they potentially become extinct if this continues.

3. Natural Disasters

Illegal mining certainly causes natural disasters, specifically climate disasters, because they are triggered by extreme climate change. Floods and landslides are climate disasters caused by prolonged heavy rainfall.

The disaster began with land exploitation for mining. This illegal practice converted vast areas of tropical forest into mining areas, significantly reducing the number of trees. During heavy rains, water levels increase dramatically because few trees remain.

Soil retention and water absorption are severely limited. Ultimately, rivers, ponds, reservoirs, and lakes overflow, submerging resident areas, rice fields, roads, etc. Flash floods can also occur when water levels increase rapidly.

Because of increasing water discharge, the soil becomes saturated with water. After that, landslides occurred. The roots of the dwindling trees are no longer holding it in place.

4. Social Problems

Land clearing for illegal mining also creates social problems. This practice is prone to conflict with surrounding communities. This conflict of interest is detrimental to all parties and must be prevented.

The Handling Programs

The risk of illegal mining is complex, ranging from environmental damage to natural disasters. The terrible disasters, floods and landslides, was hit three provinces in Sumatra, namely Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, were hit by terrible disasters at the end of November. It is a warning signal of the severity of illegal mining. The following series of programs can effectively address illegal mining.

1. Monitoring and Implementing Strict Regulation

Illegal mining can’t be immediately stopped, but it can be handled continuously and consistently. Continuous monitoring will suppress increased activity. The government needs to consistently monitor mining activities. The strict regulations and sanctions for those involved in illegal mining are also crucial to implement.

2. Good Mining Practice (GMP)

Good mining practice (GMP) is an effective solution to stop illegal mining. This program is a good idea to ensure the responsibility and sustainability of mining activities. GMP includes occupational health and safety, environmental management and monitoring, resource conservation, and waste management.

3. Outreach and Education

Stopping illegal mining is a shared responsibility. Outreach and education programs can organized by the government, as policymakers, regarding the risks of illegal mining. So, the importance of licensing in the mining industry can be explained to many people. As a result, the environmental awareness and insight about mining activities are increased.

4. Employment Opportunities

Economic pressure is one of the driving factors of illegal mining. The difficulty of finding employment drives them to do anything to earn a living. Over time, they are lured by the enormous potential for mining. Providing employment is the right solution to divert illegal miners to jobs that don't damage the environment or exploit nature.

5. Recovery

Environmental damage caused by illegal mining can be repaired through some recovery programs. There are land reconstruction (realigning the topography of the damaged area), reforestation, drainage, ecosystem restoration, and national park preservation. Land use for ecotourism can also be adjusted.

Various programs to address the risk of illegal mining need to be continuously implemented. Seriousness and consistency are the foundation for successfully stopping illegal mining. Regarding disaster risks, a warning system is essential as a preventative measure.

To ensure real-time warning signals are delivered to the entire community, the government can provide a message-sending machine based on SMS (Short Message Service). These machines are available at smsbroadcaster.com. Product photos and complete specifications are clearly listed. The machine's range reaches 2 km for all operators.