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Police arrest illegal mercury dealer in Jambi
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A traditional gold miner mixes mercury with water in Jendi village in Selogiri district, Wonogiri regency, Central Java. Traditional miners use mercury to extract gold dust from rocks. (JP/Magnus Hendratmo)
The Batanghari Police in Jambi arrested Margayanti bin Arsat, 45, on Wednesday for allegedly selling mercury without permission.
The suspect allegedly sold the mercury to traditional gold miners in the regency.
Jambi Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Kuswahyudi Tresnadi said the suspect had been charged under the 2009 Mineral and Coal Mining Law.
He said the alleged illegal practice was discovered to have occurred in Simpang Sungai Rengas in Maro Sebo Ulu district, Batanghari regency.
“The investigation began after [we received] information that the Sumbar jewelry shop in Sungai Rengas had accepted gold from people conducting illegal mining practices. In addition, the shop was also reported to sell mercury, which is used by traditional gold miners to extract gold from rocks,” Kuswahyudi said on Thursday.
Read also: Residents warned of mercury pollution
Police then followed up the information and conducted an investigation before making the move to arrest Margayati at the shop.
“Margayati is the owner and dealer of the mercury,” Kuswahyudi said, adding that the police had also confiscated three kilograms of mercury.
The suspect has been detained at the Batanghari Police station. (bbs)
