REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, AMBON -- Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, gave support for Maluku Provincial Government who closed illegal gold mining activities in Mount Botak, Buru Regency.
"Illegal mining must be stopped and closed. Alhamdulillah, I heard from Governor of Maluku, Said Assagaff, that illegal mining in Mount Botak has also been closed," said Luhut, in Ambon, Thursday (27/11).
Luhut asked Maluku Provincial Government to manage the gold mining by using environmentally friendly technologies, and avoiding hazardous materials, especially mercury and cyanide.
"I was surprised to hear explanation of the Governor that supply and use of mercury and cyanide in mining area of Mount Botak was from miners from outside Maluku," he added.
The use of mercury and cyanide is not only damaging the surrounding environment, but it is also affecting people of Maluku, particularly the children. He emphasized that mining areas, which are illegal, in Indonesia should be closed immediately.
"If allowed, then in the next 10 years, we will have generation with mental retardation," he explained.
Illegal gold mining activities in Mount Botak, Buru, started in 2011. In the period of 2012 to 2013 there were more than 30 thousand miners who came from different areas to work in the mining.
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