Illegal Gold Mining Research Articles

The Growth of Bacillus cereus (IHB B 379) Isolates at Different Temperature and Concentration of Mercury Chloride (HgCl2)


 
 
 Bacillus cereus (IHB B 379) has been isolated from the sediments of the illegal gold mining area located in Danau Biru Singkawang, these bacteria have resistant properties by being able to grow on media containing HgCl2 with a concentration of 500 ppm. This study aimed to determine the effect of temperature and concentration of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on the growth of Bacillus cereus (IHB B 379) and to determine the temperature and concentration of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on the optimum growth of Bacillus cereus (IHB B 379). The study used a Completely Randomized Factorial Design (CRD) consisting of two treatment factors. The first factor was a different temperature treatment with three levels, namely 320C, 370C, and 420C. The second factor was the treatment of the mercuric chloride (HgCl2) concentration with three levels, namely 0 ppm, 250 ppm, and 500 ppm. The Bacillus cereus (IHB B 379) growth test used the delusional method and the number of colonies was calculated using the Total Plate Count (TPC) method. The results showed that the growth of Bacillus cereus (IHB B 379) was seriously affected by the temperature and concentration of HgCl2 . The best growth pattern of Bacillus cereus (IHB B 379) was occurred at 320C and concentration HgCl2 250 ppm. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Criminal economy of Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia: Structure, intersection points, profitability assessment

The spread of the criminal economy is the biggest problem in the global financial environment. Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia are characterised by a fairly high level of economic crime. In these countries, criminal economic activity flourishes, which reduces the social development of states and spreads unemployment and poverty in their territories. That is why the issue of the criminal economy of Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia and the specifics of the structure, intersection points, and assessment of the level of profitability in these countries is quite relevant. It is in these areas that the problem of developing the criminal economy is poorly regulated and along with criminal activities there is a problem of poverty and the presence of military conflicts. That is why the purpose of this study is to investigate and generalise aspects of the criminal economy of Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia, and to determine the features of its structure, intersection points, and assessment of the level of profitability. Theoretical methods were used during the study – analysis and synthesis. In particular, it was determined that the intersection points of the criminal economies of Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia are focused on the activities of the transnational criminal organisation National Liberation Army. It is established that the main structural elements of the criminal economy in cooperation in these countries are drug trafficking, fuel smuggling, illegal gold mining, prostitution, and human trafficking. The assessment of the level of profitability showed that the countries under study are disadvantageous, which is explained by the presence of a high level of criminal economy. Based on the results of the study, measures were developed and proposed to combat the criminal economy in relation to the intersection points in Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia. It is determined that the main areas for reducing the level of the criminal economy should be measures aimed at combating the transnational criminal group – the National Liberation Army, actions to eliminate businesses for the production and sale of drugs, fuel smuggling, prostitution, and human trafficking in the territory of the considered countries. Thus, the practical significance of the study is that the identified measures to combat the criminal economy can be used in Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia to improve the social situation in these countries and raise the standard of living in these areas

Analisis Potensi Tumbuhan Lokal Untuk Meremediasi Limbah Logam Berat Timbal (Pb) Sekitar Lahan Bekas Penambangan Emas Tanpa Izin (PETI) Di Desa Moenti Kabupaten Sarolangun Provinsi Jambi

Illegal gold mining is gold mining activity carried out by gold miners who do not have legal mining permits. The process of illegal gold mining is carried out by the community using a diesel-fueled suction machine, which can cause the air to be polluted by lead so that it pollutes the soil through sedimentation and precipitation processes and must be given treatment to reduce the levels of heavy metals in the soil. The purpose of this study was to analyze local plants that are able to absorb the heavy metal lead (Pb) in the soil. The results of the analysis in this study identified 14 local plant species found in the research location. The three plants with the highest Important Value Indeks (INP) were Phragmites sp. with an INP value of 37.35%, Melastoma sp. with an INP value of 30.64%, and Eleocharis interstincta with an INP value of 25.41%. The highest Pb concentration in the soil was 0.533 mg/kg and the lowest was 0.452 mg/kg. The Pb concentration in the shoots of Eleocharis interstincta was 0.156 mg/kg, in the shoots of Phragmites sp. was 0.106 mg/kg, and in the shoots of Melastoma sp. was 0.074 mg/kg. The Pb concentration in the roots of Eleocharis interstincta was 0.258 mg/kg, the roots of Phragmites sp. 0.309 mg/kg, and the roots of Melastoma sp. 0.162 mg/kg. The BAC, BCF, and TF values of these three plants were 1, which indicated that these three plants were not in the phyto-extractor plant category but were included in the phytostabilization category.

Farmers' perception of the impact of gold mining on shrinking agricultural land and their livelihood in the Asutifi-North District

Gold mining has contributed significantly to Ghana's economy and has since been extracted by both large-scale industrial miners as well as illegal artisanal and small-scale miners (ASGM). Despite its employment generation and national income contribution, gold mining has emerged as the major competitor to agriculture in terms of land use with devastating environmental effects. Consequently, there has been a surge in the practice of ASGM in Ghana over the years, particularly in the Asutifi-North District where NGGL is operational. This has led to shrinking agricultural land due to increasing ASGM in the District. Yet the complexities surrounding the symbiosis between large-scale mining, ASGM and agriculture remain unstudied. Additionally, understanding the perception of farmers on gold mining and what motivates farmers to venture into ASGM amidst farming remains unclear. In this work, we used both descriptive statistics and principal component factor analysis to examine the complexities surrounding large-scale mining, ASGM, and agriculture, and farmers' perception of mining. Multi-staged sampling comprising both purposive and random sampling techniques was employed, questionnaires were administered to 300 farmers and 5 key stakeholders were interviewed from 5 mining communities in the district. Results indicate that mining is the biggest competitor to farming in terms of land use and the increase in land lease to the large-scale gold mining firm (NGGL) over the years has resulted in to increase in illegal artisanal gold mining. Additionally, the result from the principal component factor analysis showed that among several reasons, a farmer's livelihood constitutes the single most important reason that compels farmers to venture into ASGM with a scale reliability coefficient (Cronbach's α) of 0.6276.

Toxic metal(loids) levels in the aquatic environment and nuclear alterations in fish in a tropical river impacted by gold mining

The Atrato River basin was protected by Colombian law due to anthropogenic impacts, mainly from illegal gold mining, which triggered a critical environmental health problem. In this study we quantified mercury (Hg), methylmercury (MeHg) and arsenic (As) concentrations in aquatic environmental matrices, and explored for the first-time nuclear degenerations in fish from the Atrato River. The median concentrations (μg/kg) for T-Hg, MeHg and As in fish were 195.0, 175.5, and 30.0; in sediments (μg/kg) 165.5, 13.8 and 3.1; and in water (ng/L), 154.7 for T-Hg and 2.1 for As. A 38% and 10% of the fish exceeded the WHO limit for the protection of populations at risk (200 μg Hg/kg) and for human consumption (500 μg Hg/kg); while As concentrations were below the international standard (1000 μg/kg) in all fish. The percentage of MeHg was 89.7% and the highest accumulation was observed in carnivorous fish (336.3 ± 245.6 μg/kg, p < 0.05) of high consumption, indicating risk to human health. In water, T-Hg concentrations exceeded the threshold effect value of 12 ng/L, whereas As concentrations were below the threshold of 10,000 ng/L, established by USEPA. On the contrary, 33% of the sediments exceeded the quality standard of 200 μg/kg for Hg. We found that Prochilodus magdalenae was the species with the highest susceptibility to nuclear alterations in its order, nuclear bud (CNB, 3.7 ± 5.4%), micronuclei (MN, 1.6 ± 2.5%) and binucleated cells (BC, 1.6 ± 2.3%). These results indicate that the species appears to be a good predictor of genotoxicity in the Atrato River. Fulton's condition factor (K) indicated that 31.7% of the fishes had poor growth condition, suggesting that the Atrato River basin needs to be monitored and restored in accordance with the agreements reached in the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Sex trafficking by consent? Andean padrinazgo, illegal mining in Amazonia, and state intervention

AbstractRising gold prices have led to the expansion of illegal gold mining in Peru's southwestern Amazon region. This is accompanied by an increase in sex trafficking of Indigenous girls and women from the southern Andes. This article focuses on the emerging economic and cultural connections that span Andean and Amazonian mining and sex trafficking migration in the region. The notion of precarity is applied to assess victims’ agency within a racialized, neoliberal, informal labor market at the fringes of global capitalism. In tracing the trajectory of trafficked adolescents from highlands to lowlands and, in some cases, into state‐run shelters, the role of padrinazgo (patronage of godparents) is explored. It is argued that trafficked subjects’ choices are circumscribed by padrinazgo‐type relationships with traffickers, according to which they pursue a “preferred precarity” across competing existential, vocational, and subjective states.

Regional Development and Design for the Formation of Regional Growth Centers Through the Utilization of Local Potential

This study investigates the role of regional development as a new growth area and its contribution to regional development based on its natural and economic wealth potential. A room's story is significant to create community welfare. This study used a descriptive method based on the results of field observations and secondary data, which were analyzed using the Gravity Model approach, Williamson Index and Location Quotient (LQ) analysis, and qualitative research. The results showed that the interaction between Sekotong and its surrounding areas was relatively high. It can be seen that the Sekotong-Sheet position has the most excellent gravity valueIt can also be explained that Sekotong currently has two mainstay sectors as the base sector, namely the Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, and Mining sector. The other three sectors, such as Wholesale and Information are potential sectors to become base sectors for the future. With the development of marine and hilly potentials through tourism, of course, the hope is that it will divert community activities from destroying nature (illegal gold mining) to actions to protect and preserve the surrounding environment. This study reveals that the changing of people characters from destructive mindset into the hospitality toward the environment.

Bioaccumulation of mercury in direct-developing frogs: The aftermath of illegal gold mining in a National Park

The use of mercury in mining gold is an illegal but still common practice in developing countries and is the world’s largest source of mercury pollution. The mercury released into the environment bioaccumulates in organism tissues due to its chemical properties and can adversely alter wildlife's neurological and reproductive systems. Frogs are susceptible to mercury contamination from gold mining because of their high skin permeability and association with aquatic environments. However, the effect of mercury pollution on direct-developing frogs is poorly known, particularly in tropical highlands. To understand the impact of mercury due to gold mining contamination on biodiversity of Tropical Andes, we assessed the bioaccumulation of mercury on direct-developing frogs of genus Pristimantis in a montane forest. We assessed bioaccumulation by comparing muscle tissue samples of frogs and sediments of streams in an area previously affected by illegal gold mining inside the Farallones de Cali National Park. Even though gold mining has not been conducted in the area for several years, we found mercury in muscle samples of direct-developing species of genus Pristimantis and alarming mercury concentrations in the sediment samples that exceed risk thresholds according international guidelines of the WHO (1.0749 μg.g-1) and countries such as Canada, USA and Brazil (0.35 μg.g-1). Our results suggest that the use of heavy metals in the gold mining can affect non-aquatic species causing bioaccumulation of heavy metals, which can be an important threat to wildlife populations, the stability of the ecosystem, and public health. Keywords: Andean forests, mercury pollution, muscle tissue, streams pollution, sediments, total mercury

Analisis Kadar Merkuri (Hg) pada Rambut Pekerja Tambang di Pertambangan Emas Tanpa Ijin (PETI) Kabupaten Parigi Moutong dalam Hubungannya dengan Frekuensi Konsumsi Ikan

Illegal gold mining is a mining activity using traditional methods. Mining activities in the traditional way process mining products using the amalgamation process. In the amalgamation process, gold is bound by adding mercury and the waste from the amalgamation process which may still contain mercury is discharged into the environment. It can have an impact on the accumulation of mercury in humans, especially the miners either directly or through the food chain. This study aims to determine the amount of mercury concentration that has accumulated in miners' hair in relation to the frequency of fish consumption. The sampling method is done by random sampling method in five sub-districts in Parigi Moutong Regency. Fish consumption frequency data was taken by filling out questionnaires by respondents (miners). Analysis of mercury content in hair samples was carried out using the Mercury Analyzer NIC MA-3000. The results showed that the concentration of mercury in miners in all sub-districts exceeded the quality standard set by USEPA, which was above 1 mg/Kg. The highest mercury content was found in the miner's hair in Moutong District which was 3.48 mg/kg, while the lowest mercury content was found in the miner’s hair in Kasimbar District which was 1.06 mg/kg. Based on these results, the gold miners in the five sub-districts have been contaminated with mercury. A correlation value above 0.5 indicates a correlation between fish consumption and mercury concentrations in hair, thereby it can be said that the source of mercury exposure to miners can also come from the fish they consume.

STRUKTUR KOMUNITAS IKAN HASIL TANGKAPAN JARING INSANG DI SUNGAI BATANG TEBO DESA BUNGKAL KECAMATAN TEBO TENGAH KABUPATEN TEBO

One of the largest tributaries in the Batanghari area is the Batang Tebo River which passes through Bungkal Village. Currently, the Batang Tebo River is a place for waste disposal, garbage, oil spills, and even the biggest illegal gold mining (PETI). This resulted in a drastic decrease in fishermen in Batang Tebo waters using gill nets. The purpose of the study was to determine the structure of the fish community in Batang Tebo from the catch when using gill nets. This research was started on April 18, 2022 - May 31, 2022, and is located on the Batang Tebo River, Bungkal Village, Tebo Regency. The researcher thus causes the survey method and random sampling as the data collection. Collection of data from this research activity included the structure of the community caught by fishermen using gill nets. The catch data includes fish size, fish weight, total fish weight, and the fish species. The supporting data collect environmental parameters (temperature, pH, current speed, brightness). The number of fish catches produced during the research activity reached 292, with the composition of the catch consisting of 5 species, namely: Baung Fish (Hemibagrus Menerus), Sand Lambak Fish (Labiobarbus Festivus), Lais Fish (Cryptopterus Sp), Kapiat Fish (Barbonymus schwanenfeldi), Juaro Fish (Pangasius polyuranodon). The highest catch was Baung fish many as 89 fish lowe catch was Juaro fish as many as 17 dominant index was 0.23. Community structure of fish caught by Baung Fish, Flat Lambak Fish, Lais Fish, Kapiat Fish, and Juaro Fish. Community structure of fish caught by Baung Fish, Flat Lambak Fish, Lais Fish, Kapiat Fish, juror fish. With diversity with medium, uniformity with (high), on dominance with (low), there are fish that dominate in the catch and are also supported by environmental parameters in the form of temperature, pH, brightness, and speed of current.

Environmental policy at a critical junction in the Brazilian Amazon

Wholesale conversion of natural Amazonian ecosystems has been encouraged by Brazil’s extreme antienvironmental government, and historical forest loss explains municipal-scale voting prevalence. Embracing a new administration would strengthen local-to-regional governance, suppress illegal land grabbing, deforestation, logging, and gold mining, thereby protecting the world’s most species-rich forest domain and ensuring global sustainability.

The Relevance of Duration in Stakeholder Collaboration to Prevent Illegal Gold Mining in Nigeria

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of illegal gold miners and gold mining stakeholders in Zamfara, Nigeria, on the efficacy of a stakeholder collaboration in reducing illegal gold mining (IGM) activities. The study was conducted between 8 September 2020 and 16 March 2021, using a multilevel convergent mixed methods research design. Illegal gold miners identified in seven communities within Anka, Bukkuyum and Mara were invited to participate in a paper and pen survey, resulting in 605 returned questionnaires. Equally, eight stakeholders were sampled for interview. A joint display comparison of the results from the illegal gold miners and the stakeholders indicated mixed reactions in their perceptions. Both the illegal gold miners and stakeholders perceived that the short collaboration between the media and other stakeholders affected the prevention of IGM behaviour. However, compared to the miners, the stakeholders were more satisfied with the short media collaboration.

STUDI KARAKTERISTIK SUB DAERAH ALIRAN SUNGAI DEDAI PADA DAERAH ALIRAN SUNGAI MELAWI KABUPATEN SINTANG

Dedai Sub watershed condition at this time has much changes of form and fuction caused by the opening of land activities, illegal gold mining and household garbage. This research aims to study the characteristic and profile of each characteristic Dedai Sub Watershed. In this study, only limited to the characteristic of the Sub Watershed, where 1 outlet observations consist of 2 point sampling. Dedai Sub Watershed has an area about ± 14.454,70 ha located in the subdistrict of West Kalimantan Regency Sintang Dedai.This study consists of two phases : first, field research of Dedai Sub Watershed conducted during 6 days consecutive on 1 outlet observations with a 2 point sampling. Point sampling performed on downstream and upstream Dedai Sub Watershed. Then samples of water counducted analysis of Laboratory Quality and Total Suspended Solid (TSS) health farm Faculty of Agriculture University of Tanjungpura Pontianak.Result of the study showed that the form and pattern of Sub DAS Dedai is a form of bird feathers and dendritic pattern, while the transverse parabolic profile. The order consists of 5 classes, with the value of IKD is 0,0087 km/km2 and belongs to the category of low discharge values of the flow upstreaman average of 0,6787 m3/sec downstream and 4,1976 m3/sec, the correlation coefficient discharge curve (r) of upstream 0,995 and downsream 0,985, with a coefficient of determination (R2) upstream 0,990 and downstream 0,969. Water quality on Sub DAS Dedai has an average pH of upstream 6,78 and downstream 6,46 is still good and the average temperature of the upstream 29,580C and downstream 29,70C still under normal circumstances in nature, whereas the average brightness level of the upstream 1,05 m and downstream 1,13 m. Total Suspended Solid (TSS) values averaged of upstream 5,2 mg/liter and downstream 8,7 mg/liter, while the average value of the upstream sediment discharge of 0,3135 ton/day and downstream 3,2611 ton/day and the correlation coefficient arch sediment (r) of upstream 0,933 and downsream 0,910, with a coefficient of determination (R2) upstream 0,870 and downstream 0,827.Keywords: watershed, characteristics, Dedai

Impact of artisanal small-scale (gold and diamond) mining activities on the Offin, Oda and Pra rivers in Southern Ghana, West Africa: A scientific response to public concern

The surface water systems of Ghana serve as a major source of drinking water, besides other multi-purpose benefit of hydro-electrical power generation and transportation. Thus, the dependence and benefits from such resources are of national interest. For instance, the Pra river of the South-Western surface water system of Ghana was a major consideration for a projected 5 billion m3 water demand in the year 2020 and “African Water Vision 2025”. In recent times, the colour state of the Pra river and similar surface water bodies of the Offin and Oda rivers has attracted intense public discussion. The prime issue relates to incessant illegal artisanal gold/diamond mining on or along these rivers. In order to assess the state of these rivers, water samples were taken, and analysed at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratory (CSIR, Accra-Ghana) to investigate their physico-chemical quality. The research objective was to assess the extent of their water pollution by measuring physico-chemical parameters of turbidity, colour, pH and content of selected metals. A total of 18 preserved bottled samples [(5 from Offin river and 2 boreholes), 5 from Oda river and 5 from Pra river and 1 borehole)] were analysed, and results compared with portable water standards as defined by the WHO and CSIR (GS-175-1) of Ghana.Results on turbidity, colour, mercury and iron from the river and water samples generally exceed WHO or GS-175-1 limit. The Pra river recorded the most alarming result; range for turbidity (2,010 to 2,745 NTU), colour (3,000 to 4,500 Hz), total suspended solutes (2,240 to 2,570 mg/L) and total dissolved solutes (97.80–99.60 mg/L, excluding 319.00 to 25,440 mg/L). The Oda river shows lowest parameter values among the three rivers, as the areas have been dormant from illegal gold mining for 5 years. Current data suggests polluted river bodies and boreholes, and that none of these water resources meets the portable water consumption criteria unless treated prior to usage. As the current state of the water bodies may incur higher cost of water treatment or purification, an integrated water governance under Ghana's Ministry of Water Resource, Work and Housing, and the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency are recommended for the management of these valuable water resources.

Water quality and health risk assessments of illegal gold mining-impacted estuaries in Ghana

This study evaluated the water quality, pollution, and health risks associated with illegal gold mining activities in two estuaries (Pra and Ankobra) in the Southwestern region of Ghana. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME-WQI) used for the evaluation indicated that both estuaries were in the marginal water quality category. Nemerow's Pollution Index (NPI) evaluation showed that turbidity (from siltation), PO 4 , Pb, Cu, and Fe contributed to the pollution of the two estuaries. The health risks index of Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total Hazard Index (HI) evaluated on shellfish ( Macrobrachium ) from the estuaries were above USEPA recommended threshold; therefore, there is a likelihood of human health risks impacts on the coastal dwellers surrounding the estuaries. Overall, the study buttresses the need to take urgent strategic actions to control the direct impacts of pollution on the estuarine systems and the surrounding coastal communities. • Pollution footprints observed in two estuaries of Southwestern region of Ghana • The pollution index revealed turbidity, phosphate, lead, copper and iron as main contributing drivers of the estuaries. • There is a high likelihood of human health risks impacts on surrounding coastal dwellers. • Urgent action needed to control pollution in order to safeguard the lives of the communities

Automated and combined HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis testing among illegal gold miners in French Guiana using a standardized dried blood device

Blood spotted onto filter paper can be easily collected outside healthcare facilities and shipped to a central laboratory for serological testing. However, dried blood testing generally requires manual processing for pre-analytical steps. In this study, we used a standardized blood collection device combined with an automated elution system to test illegal gold miners living in French Guiana for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and syphilis. We included 378 participants, 102 females and 266 males, in three illegal gold mining resting sites. Blood collected on the Ser-Col device (Labonovum) was eluted using an automated system (SCAUT Ser-Col automation, Blok System Supply) and an automated analyzer (Alinity i, Abbott). Ser-Col results were compared to both plasma results, considered the gold standard, and to Dried blood Spot (DBS) results, considered the reference sampling method using dried blood. In plasma samples, two participants (0.5%) tested positive for HIV, six (1.5%) tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), eight were weakly positive for anti-HCV antibodies but negative for HCV RNA, and 47 tested positive for treponemal antibodies (12.4%), including 20 females (19.6%) and 27 males (9.8%, p= 0.010179). We observed a full concordance of Ser-Col and DBS results for HIV diagnosis compared to plasma results. Ser-Col and DBS samples tested positive in five HBsAg carriers and negative for one participant with a low HBsAg level in plasma (0.5 IU/mL). All participants tested negative for HCV in Ser-Col and DBS samples, including the eight participants who tested low positive for HCV antibodies and HCV RNA negative in plasma. Among syphilis seropositive participants, 41 (87.2%) and 40 (85.1%) tested positive for treponemal antibodies in Ser-Col and DBS samples, respectively. The Ser-Col method allows automated dried blood testing of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis with performances comparable to DBS. Automated approaches to test capillary blood transported on dried blood devices may facilitate large-scale surveys and improve testing of populations living in remote areas.

Environmental Education Berbasis Konsep Islam dalam Mereduksi Aktivitas Kerusakan Ekologis di Kec. Hutabargot Kab. Mandailing Natal

The PKM STAIN Mandailing Natal team carried out a workshop with the theme “Environmental Education Based on Islamic Concepts in Reducing Ecological Damage Activities in Kec. Hutabargot Kab. Mandailing Natal". This workshop activity aims to provide education to the community regarding good environmental management according to Islamic concepts. The idea of implementing this workshop activity refers to the problem of low ethics and public understanding in managing the environment, excessive exploitation of nature through illegal gold mining activities so that the environment is polluted and low attention to environmental hygiene. The method used in this service is the Participatory Action Research (PAR) method, which is in the form of a workshop to socialize Environmental Education through a community movement that cares about the environment to strengthen public understanding in managing the environment. Based on the evaluation of activities, the results obtained, first, the formation of cooperation between the environmental service and the district government. Hutabargot to form a waste bank management team; second, the establishment of an environmental care movement in every village to promote the importance of a healthy and clean environment; third, the creation of cooperation with religious leaders in each village to include environmental education materials in their da'wah activities as an effort to educate the community in a sustainable manner.

Indeks Beban Pencemar Sebagai Penentu Tingkat Pencemaran Pada Lahan Bekas Pertambangan Emas Tanpa Izin

Sarolangun Regency is a district that has the potential for gold metal mineral natural resources. This potential causes many illegal gold mining activities (PETI) in the area. It is also suspected that PETI activities can cause environmental damage and pollution in the activity area and downstream from the PETI location. Environmental pollution that occurs is caused by the disposal of gold processing waste (tailings) into water bodies and groundwater. Waste generated from gold mining activities mainly contains mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb). The purpose of this study was to analyze the level of heavy metal pollutants (Hg and Pb) using the contamination factor (CF), the pollutant load index (PLI), and the geoaccumulation index (I_geo) on former PETI in Sarolangun Regency. The sampling technique was carried out by a purposive sampling technique and the sample taken was soil. Heavy metal concentration data will be calculated using the CF, I_geo, and PLI index formulas. Hg concentrations were 0.86 mg/kg, 0.77 mg/kg, and 0.80 mg/kg in three sampling areas, and lead concentrations were 0.51 mg/kg, 0.54 mg/kg, and 0.53 mg/kg. Based on the analysis of CF calculations and I_geo, Hg(mercury) has more potential to become a pollutant at the study site (CF&gt;6), (2&lt;I_geo&lt;3). On the other hand, the study site was not polluted by lead based on the CF value and geoaccumulation index. The overall PLI calculation of Hg and Pb stated that the research location was not included in the polluted category with a PLI value &lt;1.

Analysis of Ranjo Batu Community Perception of Unlicensed Gold Mining Activities on Environmental Quality

Since 2008, the activity of gold mining without a permit in Ranjo Batu Village has always been a polemic. There have been pros and cons in the community. Some people get various benefits, but others feel disadvantaged, giving rise to various perceptions. In this article, we focus more on the environmental aspect. The most apparent impact of mining activities is a decrease in environmental quality, but some people seem to ignore it because a pragmatic view is maintained. This study aims to comprehensively determine the publics perception of the environmental aspects of gold mining activities without a permit in Ranjo Batu Village. The research method uses descriptive and quantitative data. Data were obtained by distributing valid and reliable questionnaires to 95 respondents from a total population of 1,736 people. The descriptive analysis method will use the descriptive analysis method a percentage with the category of respondent achievement level (TCR). The results showed that the publics perception of environmental aspects was included in the unfavorable category, 53.61%. This perception score indicates that illegal gold mining from a community perspective hurts the environment, both in the water, on land, and in the air.

An Ubuntu-Christocentric Comparison of Gold Mine Companies and the Zama Zama Enterprise in the West Rand District Municipality

The recent mass rape of eight women from a team shooting a music video on an unused gold mine dump near West Village, in Mogale City, in the West Rand District Municipality, of Gauteng Province, South Africa sparked a national outcry about Gender-based Violence (GBV) in the country. The men who gang-raped the women are called zama zamas (loosely translated ‘trying to attain luck’). The incident has raised two disturbing developments in the post-1994 South African context. First, statistics show that 1100 women were sexually violated in the first three months of 2022 in South Africa. The current president of the country, Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa, declared GBV a national pandemic in his Covid-19 pandemic speech. Second, it also reminded the nation about the trend of business enterprises placing profit at the expense of poor and vulnerable workers. The article focuses on the second development by applying two Ubuntu values and a Christocentric approach to compare gold mine companies and the zama zama enterprises in the region. It also concludes by proposing an alternative to the problem of illegal gold mining in the region.