Illegal Mines Research Articles

The Sparrow by Asher Svidensky

In December, 2015, I visited a town called Nalaikh in Mongolia. Nalaikh was built as a coal mining town during the communist regime in Mongolia and served as the main supplier of coal to the capital Ulaanbaatar. As time passed, many Mongolians moved into Nalaikh, finding work in the massive coal mining factory, but Nalaikh's prosperity came to an abrupt end in the early 1990s when the communist regime ended, the factory ceased all of its activities, and the town fell into darkness. In the years that followed, as a last resort to provide for their families, some residents of Nalaikh decided to dig their own holes in the ground and illegally mine the precious coal themselves. In Nalaikh, I met a young miner who we decided to codename The Sparrow to protect his identity. After I told him about my photo project he agreed to take me underground and introduce me to the world of the illegal mines. Later, I found myself squeezing into a rusty metal bathtub connected with a cable to an old engine that lowered the tub down in complete darkness through a roughly carved tunnel. The Sparrow and his colleagues had to dig deep in order to reach the thick layer of quality coal. With a camera in hand I crawled after him through a system of tunnels, barely big enough for a grown person to sit, lit only by a series of mostly blinking lightbulbs and the headlights that were connected to the miners' helmets. Work went on around the clock; teams excavated the coal in rotations; some miners used hammers to break the coal out of the walls and others loaded it into the metal bathtub that we had used to get down into the mine. Once the metal bathtub was full, the miners would drag it to the entrance, pull it up to the surface and add the coal to a pile outside, waiting for someone to buy it. None of the miners I met had any safety equipment. The air that they breathed was dusty and dirty and the atmosphere in the mine was oppressive. These terrible conditions put the men at increased risk of a range of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The image on the cover is The Sparrow as he worked a shift on the surface, painstakingly sorting good coal from bad coal before it was sold. Asher Svidensky is a freelance photographer who specialises in art and documentary images. His career began when he was conscripted to the Israeli military in 2009, where he served as a photographer. After completing his military service, he picked up a bag and a camera, and followed his dream to become a documentary photographer. Asher Svidensky is a freelance photographer who specialises in art and documentary images. His career began when he was conscripted to the Israeli military in 2009, where he served as a photographer. After completing his military service, he picked up a bag and a camera, and followed his dream to become a documentary photographer.

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Currently, mining is considered as one of the most important economic activities of Colombia. This article presents the result of an investigation carried out in the municipality of Sogamoso (Boyaca department), on the development of illegal mining, its causes and economic, social and environmental consequences. For this study and in order to make a strategic assessment of the illegal mining industry in Sogamoso, were taken as reference illegal mines located in the villages of Pedregal and Morca, which showed considerably the performance of mining by local farmers region. Having identified the mines, mining impact assessed, environmental, sociocultural and economic. Bearing in mind this assessment, we designed business strategies, which include training on regulations and the process of legalization of small-scale mining, the strategy of associativity for the product marketing and formulation of projects for replacing this activity.

Branding Raw Material to Improve Human Rights: Intel’s Ban on Conflict Minerals

Abstract Many companies seek to take over more responsibility for their supply chain and their raw materials. Intel was one of the first companies investigating the origin of conflict minerals like tin, tantalum, gold or tungsten, which are used in many electronic products. Their path to ultimately offering conflict-free microprocessors took more than five years of consistent preparation and intensive reengineering of the business process. They identified smelters as a bottleneck in the supply chain and started cooperating closely with them to trace their minerals’ supply. By developing a bag-and-tag system the company is now able to ensure that their minerals are not sourced from illegal mines, which often finance illegal warlords, for example, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The cooperation with the smelters brings about higher demand and in consequence higher prices for the legally sourced minerals. Many small miners and their families in the region directly benefit from the higher earnings.

Pengendalian Tata Ruang Kawasan Pertambangan Terhadap Kegiatan Pertambangan Emas Ilegal di Kabupaten Pidie

Pidie District is one of the areas in Aceh Province which is rich in minerals such as gold, copper, iron sand, and other metal minerals. The potential for the mine has created a lot of illegal gold mining activities that cause negative effect for the spatial planning and the environment. The local government has been trying to control and supervision, but still not able to cope with illegal gold mining activities in the study area.Seeing these conditions, the authors conducted research entitled Spatial Control of Mining Areas Against Illegal Gold Mining Activity In Pidie District. This study uses qualitative and quantitative research methods (mixed methods) and supported by ArcGIS 10.2 software to perform analysis.The study found a violation of spatial due to illegal gold mining activities that enter the protected forest areas, forest production and residential area that is not worth mine. Control efforts such as zoning, permits, incentives, disincentives, sanctions and regular monitoring has been carried out. The constraints such as government officials and companies involved, weak law enforcement and a lack of coordination among agencies makes illegal gold mining region of the study is still ongoing. Arrangement of WPR on location technically feasible, completion of the poverty problem perpetrators, and to improve inter-agency coordination are measures to control illegal gold mines in the region of study.

Unintended Effects of Illegal Economic Activities: Illegal Gold Mining and Malaria

Illegal economic activities are not only associated with higher violent crime, they may also increase unforeseen risks and cause other negative unintended consequences on the population. This paper investigates the causal effects of illegal gold mining on malaria incidence. For this purpose, I employ unique Colombian satellite data with the location of illegal gold mines matched to municipal governmental health reports on the number of malaria cases. To identify causal effects, I use preexisting geochemical gold anomalies as an instrumental variable for illegal gold production. I find positive and large effects of illegal gold mining on malaria incidence. My estimates suggests that when the area with illegal gold mines increases by 1 hectare, the malaria annual parasite index increases by 1.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Muddy Decisions: Gold in the Chocó, Colombia

As gold prices rose between 2002 and 2012, Afro-descendant gold miners confronted illegal outsider-owned gold mines on their land in Colombia’s northwest Chocó department. This article examines why these Afro-descendant miners, who used hand tools and techniques, often invited the outsiders, who used heavy machinery and mercury, to work their mines. Their reasons included: familial pressure over land, profit sharing, high prices, access to gold, and dangerous working conditions. The decision to invite in the outsiders complicates the conventional narrative of a coercive relationship between outsiders and Afro-descendant communities, even as the relationship produced worse than expected outcomes for both sides.

International Trade in Conflict Minerals: Solutions for the EU Regulatory Framework

Abstract International trade in minerals, particularly tin, tungsten, wolfram, and gold, from conflict- affected or high-risk areas can have significant implications on intensifying and perpetuating the conflicts. It occurs that illegal mines are run by armed groups. As a result, minerals acquired from such sources provide financial means to armed movements and support the conflict. In this respect, several international and national regulatory frameworks for responsible sourcing have been established. The most important international initiative is the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas, which provides importers with voluntary guidelines for responsible sourcing policy. In addition, the US passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010. Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act lays down the rules for responsible sourcing that are compulsory for any company listed on the US stock exchanges. Following to these initiatives and further public consultations, the European Commission and the European External Action Service introduced a proposal for a comprehensive EU policy focused on responsible sourcing of conflict minerals. The package consists of a legislative proposal laying down rules for self-certification of responsible importers, as well as of additional measures providing for support for SMEs and incentives for importers of conflict materials. The aim of this paper is to analyse the legislative proposal and discuss its possible implications given the fact that the EU legislation should be compatible with standing frameworks.

Research on effectiveness of coal mine safety supervision system reform on three types of collieries in China

Coal mine safety supervision system plays an important role in the coal mine safety management in China. However, the current supervision system is established on the basis of learning the advanced experience from other developed countries. It needs to be further improved according to national conditions. Therefore, the effectiveness of coal mine safety supervision system reform on three types of collieries are assessed by using time series analysis method based on comparative analysis of the supervision system before and after the reform in this paper. The regression results show that the structural reform is not conductive to the improvement of coal mine safety situation in the short term, but conductive significantly in the long term. Specifically, the effects in township coal mines are more significant than state-owned key coal mines in the long run, but negative effects also exist in the short term. The negative effects in state-owned key coal mines are non-significant compared with township coal mines. Moreover, the regression results are analyzed from the aspects of the closure policy of illegal small township coal mines at the end of 1998 and shortage of the new supervision system. Finally, the suggestions on improving the new supervision system are put forward based on the above analysis.

An Underground-Mining Detection System Based on DInSAR

Underground mining easily causes casualties, and illegal mining is a major contributor to this issue. It is a challenge to locate and differentiate illegal mines from approved mines over a vast area. Over the past few years, our research in satellite differential radar interferometry (DInSAR) to monitor underground-mine-induced surface subsidence has demonstrated the reliability of DInSAR. In this paper, a DInSAR-based illegal-mining detection system (DIMDS) is proposed to exploit the geometric, spatial, and temporal characteristics of those subsidence patterns. Testing results over a coalfield in Asia have proven the efficiency, reliability, and cost effectiveness of DIMDS in finding out illegal mines.

Mercury and Cyanide Contaminations in Gold Mine Environment and Possible Solution of Cleaning Up by Using Phytoextraction

Water contamination with heavy metals, mainly mercury and cyanide (CN) due to small scale of public mines and large scale of industrial mines have been in concern to residents around the area. Surveys of heavy metal contamination in aquatic environments, such as rivers and paddy fields over two gold mine areas in West Jawa were conducted and possible solution of using indigenous plants for phytoremediation was studied. The results showed that most of the rivers and other aquatic environments were affected by gold mine activities. Rivers, ponds, and paddy fields around illegal public mines were mostly contaminated by mercury in considerably high levels, such as paddy fields in two locations (Nunggul and Leuwijamang, Pongkor) were contaminated up to 22.68 and 7.73 ppm of Hg, respectively. Whereas rivers located around large scale industrial mines were contaminated by CN. Possible solution of cleaning up by using green technology of phytoremediation was examined. Some plant species grew in the contaminated sites showed high tolerance and potentially effective in accumulating cyanide or mercury in their roots and above ground portions. Lindernia crustacea (L.) F.M., Digitaria radicosa (Presl) Miq, Paspalum conjugatum, Cyperus kyllingia accumulated 89.13, 50.93, 1.78, and 0.77 ppm of Hg, respectively. Whereas, Paspalum conjugatum, Cyperus kyllingia accumulated 16.52 and 33. 16 ppm of CN respectively.

The Impacts of Coal Mining on the Economy and Environment of South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

I. Coal in Indonesia and Its Environmental Impacts Coal is one of the world's most plentiful energy resources and its use is likely to quadruple by 2020. The world coal trade grew steadily from 386.90 million tons in 1990 to 468.20 million tons in 1995, and to an estimated 1,920.90 million tons in 2005 (Mimuroto 2002). Coal occurs in many forms and qualities, mainly, (a) hard coal, which includes coking coal used to produce steel, and other bituminous and anthracite coals used for steam and power generation, and (b) brown coal (sub-bituminous and lignite), which is used mostly as onsite fuel. Coal has a wide range of content characteristics including moisture, sulfur and ash content, which can affect the value of the coal as fuel and its environmental impacts. In Indonesia, coal is plentiful, with deposits estimated at 57 trillion tons (PSE-UI Jakarta 2002) and current annual production at 130 million tons (National Energy Coordination Agency 2005). East Kalimantan province has the largest stock, with 35 per cent of the national total. South Sumatera ranks second place with 33 per cent and South Kalimantan third with 16 per cent (PSE-UI Jakarta 2002). Most of the coal mined in South Kalimantan is for export. Strip mining is commonly used. This method contributes to land degradation and forest cover destruction. Coal mining is a profitable business. It creates employment, generates value-added, and improves the foreign investment of a country or region. It is also a dirty business for locals, contaminating water, permeating the air and coating houses with coal-dust, and creating health problems. Coal mining can cause floods, and many depleted mining areas are left without rehabilitation. Moreover, coal transportation vehicles contribute to road accidents and road damage. These heavy vehicles are also a nuisance to the communities living along the roads because of the dust and noise they create. In South Kalimantan, there are three large authorized coal mining contractors (called legal miners). There are also many small-scale coal miners without licences, called illegal miners. Almost every district of South Kalimantan Province contains several illegal coal mines, and their numbers are growing. In 1997, 157 individuals or businesses of this type were recorded, rising to 445 in 2000 and 842 in 2004. Although the coal business seems to be profitable for both individuals and businesses, the benefits of this activity to the region are unclear. The coal industry is an industry of booms and busts, and hence the welfare of the community in the region is usually closely tied to the health of the coal industry (Roenker 2002). In South Kalimantan, there is also a marked difference in the welfare and incomes of the communities living nearby the mines and along the coal transportation roads and those of the coal miners who earn much more. The public get the dust and dirt of the coal industry, while the workers and managers get the benefits (Adaro 2002). However, there is little research on these negative impacts or on the effects of coal mining on economic development. There is also a lack of information on how and to what extent coal mining influences income distribution among the various communities in the South Kalimantan Province and how the benefits are shared by communities within and outside the region. II. Research Objectives This article analyses the impact of the coal mining industry on the economy and environment of South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Its objectives are: * to analyse the impact of the coal mining industry on the development of the economy of South Kalimantan Province according to the following indicators: --value-added generated by the coal mining industry compared to other industries in the economy; --output generated by the coal mining industry compared to other industries in the economy; --employment provided by the coal mining industry compared to other industries in the economy; and --production structure and interdependency of the coal mining industry in the economy; * to analyse the impact of the coal mining industry on income distribution in South Kalimantan Province; * to analyse the extent of the leakage (1) the coal mining industry, in particular to compare benefits received by the region and the outer (other regions in Indonesia and other countries) from the coal mining industry; * to simulate the effects of several policies for the coal industry of South Kalimantan Province in order to find the best strategy in terms of economic improvement and environmental maintenance. …

Influence of illegal gold mining on mercury levels in fish of North Sulawesi's Minahasa Peninsula, (Indonesia)

North Sulawesi's Minahasa Peninsula currently is experiencing intense illegal gold mining activity. It has been estimated that 200 t of mercury are used annually in Indonesia in the recovery of gold from the illegal mines. To date no study has assessed the environmental impact of this illegal activity on the nearby aquatic biota. To address this concern, we compared tissue mercury levels from several sites, including a reference site and a site near an illegal mine. Fish from the region of the illegal mine contained 30 times the mercury content of fish at the reference site. Moreover, whole fish tissue levels were four times those recommended by the World Health Organization for consumption restrictions and often two-fold higher than recommended for total restriction on fish consumption. The environmental and human health implications of these levels are of grave concern; citizen education programmes are required to alert indigenous peoples of the risks associated with mercury exposure and fish consumption guidelines put into place. A more comprehensive effort to identify major sources and effects are required. Such information can be used to determine the correct course of action that needs to be taken to close existing illegal mines and prevent future illegal mining activities.

Environmental impact of mining, erosion and sedimentation in Sri Lanka

Erosion and sedimentation have a devastating effect on the environment of Sri Lanka. The Central Highlands with very steep slopes and a radial network of rivers that begin in these mountainous regions cause major erosional hazards, often resulting in disastrous landslides. Mining, particularly gem mining, has been responsible for serious problems of soil erosion and river siltation. A large number of illegal mines leave mine spoils resulting in damage to nearby paddy fields, crops, rivers and streams. Extensive sand mining in some rivers has lead to the collapse of river banks, destabilising structures such as bridges and causing influx of salt water. Landslides and coastal erosion are other factors that have had a negative impact on the environment in Sri Lanka.