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Activists blame energy ministry amid claims of dirty mining practices
Around 6.3 million hectares of mining area are located within conservation and protected forest sites.
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A joint team of security personnel, search and rescue members and local residents rescue victims of a landslide that hit illegal mining sites on Mount Pongkor in Bogor, West Java, on May 13. (Photo Courtesy of Bogor Police/-)
M
ining activists and environmentalists have called for the suspension of Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry operations amid widespread claims of environmental and social damages caused by mining practices.
The demand was delivered during a rally in Jakarta on Tuesday to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the Lapindo mudflow incident in Sidoarjo, East Java.
The incident, allegedly caused by an oil and gas company’s drilling activities, saw the displacement of more than 10,000 people from four villages. Studies revealed the incident affected residents’ health while also contributing to air and water pollution.
Although years have passed since the incident, activists claimed the ministry had yet to do anything significant to prevent the mining sector from causing further damages, arguing it was guilty of human rights violations across the country and did not comply with sustainability principles.
The Network for Mining Advocacy (Jatam) argued suspending the ministry’s operations was necessary to solve problems caused by mining practices, as it would give the government time to make the transition to an economic scheme that benefited the people.
“Upon suspending the ministry, the government should draft a plan that undoes all damages caused by mining practices, which range from recovering our economy from the commodity-based business to transitioning to clean and renewable energy,” Jatam coordinator Merah Johansyah said.
Environmentalists have blamed the ministry for its alleged failure to adhere to environmentally friendly and people-oriented mining practices.
