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xtensive sand and gravel quarrying (classified as '€œGalian C'€) is threatening the environment and public health in Tomohon city in North Sulawesi, residents and an environmentalist have warned.

Galian C quarrying is happening at various locations in the area, such as Kakaskasen and Kinilow subdistricts, with several companies conducting exploration and exploitation activities close to the Mount Lokon forest preserve.

The extraction work threatened the environment by causing deforestation and water shortages, residents said, expressing particular concern about the health impact on the community living around the mines, who daily inhale dust from the Galian C quarry.

'€œWe are currently facing water shortages, especially during the dry season, whereas water was in fact abundant here previously,'€ Yongki Lolong, a local resident, said recently.

Galian C entrepreneur Jemmy, who operates in Kinilow subdistrict, said he had a permit for his business.

'€œWe operate based on permits. Obviously, we try to minimize environmental damage from mining activities,'€ said Jemmy, adding that he had been involved in the business for two years.

According to him, his company would restore the exploited land, as required.

Separately, Tomohon Energy and Mineral Resources Office head Jeane Bolang said the current Galian C quarrying activities in Tomohon were based on an environmental impact analysis and recommendations from relevant agencies, including the Environmental Agency and the Development Planning Board (Bappeda).

'€œThe Galian C sites in Tomohon are all based on environmental impact analysis,'€ said Jeane.

She added that only four Galian C companies were equipped with official permits, while the rest were still applying for permits, despite the fact that they were currently carrying out exploration.

Jeane said her office would continue to monitor the activities to prevent negative impacts on the environment, stressing that the mining work contributed to local revenue.

Similarly, Tomohon Environmental Agency head Lily Solang said the Galian C activities were based on environmental document ownership.

'€œIf they are equipped with permits, they are then equipped with environmental documents. So, we monitor through the documents. If they are not equipped with the required documents, they have to face the consequences, including stopping their mining activities,'€ Lily added.

She said her agency was also taking additional steps to prevent environmental damage by providing counseling on what should and should not be done.

'€œEnvironmental destruction will always occur in the presence of mining activities, and deforestation will take place as well. The deforested areas must be reforested [afterwards]. That is what we are doing,'€ claimed Solang.

Environmentalist Chris Hombokau said the Galian C quarrying was clearly detrimental to the ecology, acknowledging, though, that the extraction activities helped to meet people'€™s needs.

'€œHowever, it also has negative impacts, such as water and air pollution as well as environmental change,'€ he said.