Dilemma of gold mining on communities in Aceh
The issue of conflict in Aceh in the past, has led to a lot of things that were delayed in development and education, so that the various problems of science on the environment and human qualities became urgent to change situation of society. Now, entering Aceh peace process, enter the new transitional situation in Aceh are many things that must be solved to obtain social welfare and justice for the people of Aceh. The issue in Aceh is not just a question of violence but also the problem of environmental conflicts both of larger industry and small industrial.
Aceh is rich with natural resources, and the amount of natural resources such as gold mining in some districts have made the public opening of illegal mining. There is not strong law enforcement and in Aceh that protect natural resources so people can freely use and exploit the natural wealth.
Of mining production for six years in four district about 22 people was die from occupational accidents such as buried by landslides or run out of oxygen in the pits. However, this does not include experiencing the direct impact of processing mining become mercury discharge into the river. Currently the estimated number of workers in the mining sector 3529 people in 10 counties and cities. All scattered in Aceh Besar, Pidie, Central Aceh, Gayo Lues, Aceh Jaya, Aceh Barat, Nagan Raya, West Aceh, South Aceh and Subulussalam Distric.
It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of people will be exposed to mercury yan directly and indirectly in Aceh in four districts in Aceh, Aceh Jaya, West Aceh, South Aceh and Pidie, there were 1,370 people every day in direct contact with dangerous heavy metals.
In the 7 years since mercury, the case shows pregnant women gave birth to children with disabilities such as idiot, autism and cleft lip, the other symptoms are tremor and can stroke and others. This case is not much exposed and health authorities still can not diagnose serious in this problem. However, government is not firmly monitor the health of affected communities mercury and immediately clean up contaminated land.
Society was restless, especially those who derive their life from the water source Krueng Teunom (Teunom river). The river was many years used by the community as a source of clean water, and a source of income from catches fish, the fish name’s Kerling in Bahasa we call “Ikan Jurung”, and just live in river that consumption by people in Aceh. Several people was poisoning after eating fish community from Krueng Teunom and has impacted society to stop activity in the river.
Illegal trade is done in the mercury-free artisan mining areas. Mercury was distribution come from Singapore, China, and Malaysia that information show form Zionet.org site database that monitors global mercury trade, in 2010 the import notification of Singapore about 280 tons of mercury has been sent to Indonesia, but recorded in Indonesia only two tons. In 2013 mercury into Indonesia more than 400 tons, while that recorded in the Ministry of Trade is only 540 pounds. Indication dark business is done by people who want to earn big profits in Indonesia, this business without certification letter and strict control of the government. The communities take the wealth of resources to meet the needs of the economy, and this should be a government responsibility in addressing this serious problem. Based on the Ministry of Industry Indonesia and Trade No. 30 / MPP / Kep / 7/1997 on the marketing of goods subject to import, distribution, sale and purchase of mercury must be registered and through permit regional head with the requirements of strict environmental feasibility. The local governments have a responsibility to curb the circulation of the highest mercury production illegally are rife in the four districts. If it continues to resolve the mercury in the district more uncontrolled and numbers of environmental pollution will increase.
Learning from Minamata Japan tragedy occurred in Japan in 1956. This tragedy resulted in the deaths of more than 2,000 community Minamata. Up to now, more than 17,000 are still processing the government accountable as victims. Seeing this case in Aceh and Indonesia, in this case should learn before have bad experiences, because it can bring suffering the community to new generation.
Currently in order to reduce the use of chemicals mercury, UN member states finally managed to agree on a new international convention on the management of mercury. Minamata Convention successfully agreed after the fifth meeting. Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) in Geneva on 12 - 19 January 2013. The Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from the dangers of mercury.****Hs
Aceh is rich with natural resources, and the amount of natural resources such as gold mining in some districts have made the public opening of illegal mining. There is not strong law enforcement and in Aceh that protect natural resources so people can freely use and exploit the natural wealth.
Of mining production for six years in four district about 22 people was die from occupational accidents such as buried by landslides or run out of oxygen in the pits. However, this does not include experiencing the direct impact of processing mining become mercury discharge into the river. Currently the estimated number of workers in the mining sector 3529 people in 10 counties and cities. All scattered in Aceh Besar, Pidie, Central Aceh, Gayo Lues, Aceh Jaya, Aceh Barat, Nagan Raya, West Aceh, South Aceh and Subulussalam Distric.
It is estimated that there are tens of thousands of people will be exposed to mercury yan directly and indirectly in Aceh in four districts in Aceh, Aceh Jaya, West Aceh, South Aceh and Pidie, there were 1,370 people every day in direct contact with dangerous heavy metals.
In the 7 years since mercury, the case shows pregnant women gave birth to children with disabilities such as idiot, autism and cleft lip, the other symptoms are tremor and can stroke and others. This case is not much exposed and health authorities still can not diagnose serious in this problem. However, government is not firmly monitor the health of affected communities mercury and immediately clean up contaminated land.
Society was restless, especially those who derive their life from the water source Krueng Teunom (Teunom river). The river was many years used by the community as a source of clean water, and a source of income from catches fish, the fish name’s Kerling in Bahasa we call “Ikan Jurung”, and just live in river that consumption by people in Aceh. Several people was poisoning after eating fish community from Krueng Teunom and has impacted society to stop activity in the river.
Illegal trade is done in the mercury-free artisan mining areas. Mercury was distribution come from Singapore, China, and Malaysia that information show form Zionet.org site database that monitors global mercury trade, in 2010 the import notification of Singapore about 280 tons of mercury has been sent to Indonesia, but recorded in Indonesia only two tons. In 2013 mercury into Indonesia more than 400 tons, while that recorded in the Ministry of Trade is only 540 pounds. Indication dark business is done by people who want to earn big profits in Indonesia, this business without certification letter and strict control of the government. The communities take the wealth of resources to meet the needs of the economy, and this should be a government responsibility in addressing this serious problem. Based on the Ministry of Industry Indonesia and Trade No. 30 / MPP / Kep / 7/1997 on the marketing of goods subject to import, distribution, sale and purchase of mercury must be registered and through permit regional head with the requirements of strict environmental feasibility. The local governments have a responsibility to curb the circulation of the highest mercury production illegally are rife in the four districts. If it continues to resolve the mercury in the district more uncontrolled and numbers of environmental pollution will increase.
Learning from Minamata Japan tragedy occurred in Japan in 1956. This tragedy resulted in the deaths of more than 2,000 community Minamata. Up to now, more than 17,000 are still processing the government accountable as victims. Seeing this case in Aceh and Indonesia, in this case should learn before have bad experiences, because it can bring suffering the community to new generation.
Currently in order to reduce the use of chemicals mercury, UN member states finally managed to agree on a new international convention on the management of mercury. Minamata Convention successfully agreed after the fifth meeting. Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) in Geneva on 12 - 19 January 2013. The Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from the dangers of mercury.****Hs
Comments
Post a Comment