Reclamation Activities Research Articles

Assessing Land-Cover Change Trends, Patterns, and Transitions in Coalfield Counties of Eastern Kentucky, USA

Surface coal mining and reclamation have greatly reshaped eastern Kentucky’s landscape affecting its socioeconomic, environmental and climatic aspects. This study examined the land-cover changes, trends and patterns in Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Perry, and Pike counties from 2004 to 2019. Using a random forest classifier, land cover was categorized into seven major classes, i.e., water, barren land, developed land, forest, shrubland, herbaceous, and planted/cultivated, majorly based on Landsat images. The Kappa accuracy ranged from 75 to 89%. The results showed a notable increase in forest area from 5052 sq km to 5305 sq km accompanied by a substantial decrease in barren land from 179 sq km to 91 sq km from 2004 to 2019. These findings demonstrated that reclamation activities positively impacted the forest expansion and reduced the barren land of the study area. Key land-cover transitions included barren land to shrubland/herbaceous, forest to shrubland, and shrubland to forest, indicating vegetation growth from 2004 to 2019. An autocorrelation analysis indicated similar land-cover types clustered together, showing effective forest restoration efforts. As surface coal mining and reclamation significantly influenced the landscapes of the coalfield counties in eastern Kentucky, this study provides a holistic perspective for understanding the repercussions of these transformations, including their effects on humans, society, and environmental health.

Eco-toxicological effects assessment: comparative characteristics of environmental conditions and status of vertebrate indicator species in the “Dnepr” launch vehicle accident zone

Space rockets are regularly launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The ecological impact of territories affected by the consequences of space rocket activities on the environment is a significant concern. On July 27, 2006, the Dnepr rocket was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, resulting in an abnormal situation and its emergency fall. The rocket fuel components, heptyl, and amyl, led to decontamination and reclamation activities. However, the self-restoration of soil and vegetation cover is currently in the earliest stages. Consequently, an assessment of the remote consequences of the accidental fall of the Dnepr launch vehicle for environmental objects was conducted. The study involved eco-toxicological characterization of habitat conditions, assessment of species diversity, determination of key morphophenetic indicators, and the genetic status of indicator species as the main parameters. The results revealed an increased level of genotoxicity in soils at the accident site. While there were deviations from the norm in some morphophenetic and cytogenetic parameters in indicator animals, they were not critical for their existence in this territory. Possibly, at the physiological level, they exhibit a high enough adaptation potential and compensatory mechanism.

Response of hydrodynamic environment to land reclamation in Sanmen Bay, China over the last half-century

Sanmen Bay (SMB) is one of the important harbors in Zhejiang Province. It is a semi-enclosed shallow bay that has undergone large-scale land reclamation activities. Long-term reclamation has changed the hydrodynamic conditions of SMB, such as tide, residual current, tidal prism, water exchange capacity, and tidal asymmetry. In this study, three typical periods of numerical models, based on historical charts and remote sensing, were established to investigate the influence of reclamation activities on the hydrodynamic conditions of SMB from 1971 to 2020. These model results reveal that the amplitude and phase of M2, the main tidal components in SMB, decreased by ~0.1–0.3 m and ~ 5°–15°, respectively, over the last half-century. Additionally, under the influence of ~200 km2 reclamation, many hydrodynamic conditions in SMB also changed. This includes the reduction of a residual current and tidal prism, an increase in residence time, and a change in tidal asymmetry characteristics. The residence time in nearby Xiayangtu exhibited a downward trend from 2003 to 2020, because land reclamation squeezed, and thus, enhanced the residual current eddy. The water-exchange capacity of the bay became weaker with the reduction of tidal prism to one-third and an increase in residence time. The tidal asymmetry characteristic of SMB changed from half of flood dominant to fully flood dominant by the influence of shoreline and bathymetry, which raised the flood risk. Research on the response of the hydrodynamic environment to reclamation activities in SMB reminds the local government to reassess the impact of land reclamation on the hydrodynamic environment.

Perencanaan Tahapan Persiapan Dan Perhitungan Reklamasi Di Lahan Bekas Tambang Air Rikai PT Timah Tbk Kabupaten Bangka

The research location chosen was the Air Rikai ex-mining land, which is an alluvial ex-mining land within the IUP of PT Timah Tbk. The negative impact that arises from mining is in the form of land damage. This research aims to overcome damage and also ensure that reclamation activities can be carried out well. The method used in this research is a quantitative method. The data taken is in the form of soil samples, soil pH and water pH data, topographic data (x,y,z coordinates) and bathymetric data for the depth of the pit. The results of data processing and analysis show that the condition of the land to be reclaimed has an area of 13 Ha and is divided into 2, namely voids with a total area of 1.57 Ha and land area of 11.43 Ha. Land use is carried out by stockpiling overburden with a required volume of overburden of 35,511.54 m³. Land leveling with a volume of pushed soil of 35,280 m³. Arrangement of the edge of the pit with a volume of soil moved of 230.29 m³. Construction of drainage channels with an excavation volume of 214.59 m³. Installation of concrete buis type culverts with dimensions of 50 x 50 cm and a length of 50 cm. In the revegetation, 1,517 oil palm trees were planted, then 463 sea cypress trees were planted along the underside and LCC seeds to help loosen the soil. Treating acid mine drainage with 350 water hyacinths. The costs required for reclamation are divided into 2, namely, Direct Costs and Indirect Costs. The direct costs required are IDR 679,286,160 and the indirect costs required are IDR 213,975,140. The total costs required for reclamation of land with an area of 13 Ha are IDR 893,261,300.

Urban Landscape Management of Makassar City Based on Waterfront City Concept

Abstract Makassar City is one of the coastal cities in Indonesia with a 32 km long coastline. This extensive coastal stretch harbors numerous potential natural resources. Recognizing the coastal region’s potential, the government has been implementing the Waterfront City concept to develop and manage this area. Since 2003, the Makassar City government has actively undertaken revitalization and reclamation efforts in the coastal zone, aiming to establish various facilities including commercial areas, public parks, residential zones, and tourism infrastructure, all with the aim of achieving the status of a waterfront city. However, these ongoing development and reclamation activities are inevitably transforming the coastal landscape, bringing about both positive and negative changes. On the downside, there are adverse effects such as deteriorating water quality and diminishing mangrove areas. Conversely, there has been an increase in tourist arrivals, showcasing a positive aspect. This study aims to assess the suitability of land in the coastal areas and the visual appeal of Makassar City’s waterfront, providing recommendations for coastal landscape management. Based on the analysis of land suitability and the aesthetics of the coastal area of Makassar City, the urban areas generally possess land suitable for implementing the waterfront city concept, categorized into three zones: tourism, residential, and conservation, to optimize land functionality. Besides the quality of the beautiful coast has a fairly good value with a neat and clean conditions.

Allometric equation of Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) and Anthocephalus cadamba Miq. for estimating carbon stocks

Coal mining can increase land degradation and deforestation, so efforts are needed to ensure land use in post-mining areas. Therefore, mining companies must carry out land reclamation to restore the important function of forests by planting sengon laut (Paraserianthes falcataria (L.)) and burflower tree (Anthocephalus cadamba Miq.). In contrast to mining, which produces emissions and carbon that contribute to global warming, land reclamation helps absorb carbon and produce oxygen for living things. Therefore, a study was carried out to estimate the carbon stocks from reclamation activities at PT. Indobara Borneo. A quantitative approach through Stratified Random Sampling was applied in this study. Carbon estimation is carried out using allometric equations. The allometric equation of Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) is Y = 0.028D2,695, while the allometric equation of Anthocephalus cadamba Miq. is Y = 0.035D2,600. The total carbon stocks for burflower tree plants are 84.51 tons/ha with a CO2 sink potential of 974.73 tons/Ha, while the total carbon stocks for sengon laut plants are 86.18 tons/ha with a CO2 sink potential of 1355.49 tons/ha. The value of CO₂ sink and carbon stock indicates that there are environmental services to restore and improve vegetation.

PERHITUNGAN EMISI GAS RUMAH KACA DALAM KAWASAN PERTAMBANGAN

Carbon emissions are one of the components of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) which mainly comes from the use of fossil fuels and various human activities. Based on fossil fuel and industrial emissions data, in 2022 Indonesia ranked as the 6th largest carbon emitting country in the world after China, the United States, India, Russia and Japan, with 728.88 million tons of CO2e total emissions. The Ministry of Industry reported that total GHG emissions from Indonesia's industrial sector reached 238.1 million tons of CO2e in 2022. In the mining industry, GHG emissions originate from deforestation, energy use, processing, and refining, with non-renewable energy use being the largest emitter. GHG emissions from primary mineral and metal production contribute approximately 10% of global GHG emissions related to energy. Each mining industry may have varying primary sources of GHG emissions depending on the type of mine and the final product. Mining industries, as one of the major emitters, must conduct GHG inventories to understand emission sources and develop effective reduction strategies. GHG inventory activities are conducted based on guidelines provided by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry's National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Management Handbook (2012), Book II Volumes 1-4. Efforts to reduce GHG emissions can be undertaken through planting plants that have high carbon absorption and storage capabilities in mine reclamation activities, as well as using New and Renewable Energy (NRE) as an alternative to replace fossil energy.

Visiting mine reclamation: How field experience shapes perceptions of mining.

Recognizing the prevailing negative public opinion on mining, it is important to understand how firsthand encounters with mining activities might influence these perceptions. This study investigates how field trips to open pit coal mines and their reclamation sites in the Czech Republic affected the attitudes of 148 university students toward mining and mine reclamation. Using pre and post trip questionnaires, we observed significant changes: Students became less neutral about mining, saw it as a temporary disruptive activity, expressed reduced concern for social conflicts in mining areas, and showed increased support for the ecological restoration of post mining sites. These findings underscore the transformative impact of direct engagement with mine reclamation activities on shaping attitudes. Understanding these effects offers promise for positively shifting public perceptions of mining practices, emphasizing the potential for constructive changes in attitudes through field experiences with reclamation efforts in the Global North.

Kebutuhan Alat Teknis Reklamasi PIT 3 Selatan PT. Wijaya Mandiri Energi di Kabupaten Paser, Kalimantan Timur

Reclamation is an activity carried out throughout the stages of the mining business to organize, restore, and improve the quality of the environment and ecosystem so that it can function again according to its designation (Law No. 3 of 2020). In PT Wijaya Mandiri Energi's mining activities that have been completed, the required activity is to carry out reclamation. In planning reclamation activities, technical reclamation tools are needed. Therefore, in this study, calculations were carried out to determine the number of technical equipment requirements used in reclamation activities that will be carried out in pit 3 south. Based on observations of mining activities carried out in pit 3 south, data is obtained in the form of productivity values of digging-loading equipment, transport equipment and displacement equipment. In this research, the quantitative analysis method is used by calculating the value of the area, productivity and actual working hours so as to obtain the value of the need for digging tools, transport tools and displacement tools needed in reclamation activities to achieve optimal value. As for the research conducted with an area of 5.95Ha and a production target of 208,250 m3, with the productivity of Doosan 500LCV excavator equipment of 218.64 m3 / hour, dump truck of 58.84 m3 / hour and SEM 822D bulldozer of 351.64 m3 / hour, the number of excavator Doosan 500LCV digging and loading equipment is 2 units, Beiben 2642 dump truck of 8 units and SEM 822D bulldozer of 2 units.

Assessment of soil fraction, carbon storage capacity, and rate of carbon uptake from three coastal ecosystems: Mangroves, seagrass, and mudflats in Benoa Bay, Indonesia

Abstract. Dharmayasa IGNP, Sugiana IP, Putri PYA, Boonyasana K. 2024. Assessment of soil fraction, carbon storage capacity, and rate of carbon uptake from three coastal ecosystems: Mangroves, seagrass, and mudflats in Benoa Bay, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 2541-2549. Coastal habitats, known as blue carbon ecosystems, are highly productive at absorbing and storing carbon. Most carbon is stored as soil organic carbon, and its quantity can vary depending on various factors, including the presence of plants such as mangroves and seagrass, and environmental conditions, including soil fraction. This study quantifies soil carbon stored and its burial rate in three primary coastal ecosystems: mangroves, seagrasses, and mudflats. The ashing method (loss on ignition) is used to quantify carbon content, which is then converted into soil carbon storage and burial rate. Gravimetry and the settling time method are used to determine the soil fraction. We also measure the soil and water properties directly during the sampling time. This study revealed significant soil carbon stock and burial rate variations across different ecosystems. The order of ecosystems with the most extensive carbon stock and burial rate is as follows: mangrove (69-145 tC ha-1 and 1.6-3.4 tCha-1yr-1)>seagrass (63-75 tC ha-1 and 1.5-1.7 tCha-1yr-1)>mudflat (49-61 tC ha-1 and 1.2-1.4 tCha-1yr-1). Mangroves with natural growth have a higher carbon storage capacity than rehabilitated ones. Soil carbon content is highly correlated with the soil and water pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), water content, bulk density, and soil type. The findings demonstrate that carbon absorption capability varies among coastal habitats, with vegetated environments exhibiting higher carbon storage levels. Converting land, particularly mudflats, into seagrass beds or mangrove forests may maximize the efficiency of coastal ecosystems as carbon sinks. However, it should be noted that these findings are only estimates, and the precise measurement numbers may differ due to seasonal circumstances or reclamation activities, which might cause oscillations in sedimentation rates. These variations, in turn, could affect the levels of carbon stored and the speed at which it is buried.

Study of Success Level of Reclamation Plant on the Post-mining Land of PT. Kitadin Site Embalut

Coal mining activities in Indonesia are generally or usually carried out using an open pit mining system which results in negative impacts such as loss of forest vegetation, loss of animals and plants (flora and fauna), as well as damage and loss of soil layers around the coal mining area. To overcome the problem of land damage or changes due to mining is to carry out reclamation. The research aims to determine the reclamation process on post-coal mining land and to assess the level of success of reclamation of revegetation. The research was carried out from mid-April 2023 to the end of May 2023 in the post-mining land revegetation reclamation area of ​​PT Kitadin Site Embuat which is located in Emputar Village, Tenggarong Seberang District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province. The research results show that (1) the reclamation process on PT Kitadin's post-coal mining land begins with land use activities (filling cover soil, spreading root zone soil, and controlling erosion), revegetation activities, and other forms of reclamation activities; and (2) revegetation of the PT Kitadin Site Embulant at the Homogeneous Educational Forest and Heterogeneous Educational Forest locations was declared successful with a plant survival percentage reaching 94.5%, however, the soil pH parameter was declared unsuccessful because the soil pH value at the Homogeneous Educational Forest location was only 4.80 (classified as acid).

Hydrodynamics and water quality of a highly anthropized wetland: the case study of the Massaciuccoli basin (Tuscany, Italy)

Owing to increasing anthropogenic impacts, wetlands have suffered a serious environmental decline in recent decades. The sustainable management of these natural resources is fundamental to maintain both the ecosystems and the economic activities. The Lake Massaciuccoli and nearby areas represent one of the largest residual coastal marshy areas in Tuscany (Italy). This wetland is characterized by large-scale and intensive agricultural use and affected by reclamation activities, with consequent problems of erosion, subsidence and lake eutrophication and siltation. In this context, an integrated study combining hydrochemical data (water levels, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, major ions, trace metals) and stable isotopes (H, O, S) has been performed in the southernmost part of the basin, to better disentangle processes and interactions between groundwater and surface water and to understand the origin of solutes and their evolution. Our results indicated that both groundwater and surface water have a meteoric origin and that geochemical composition of groundwater is mainly affected by local geological and biological processes. Moreover, surface water is affected by sea water mixing and evapotranspiration/precipitation processes. The impact of agricultural activity and the use of fertilizers on the water quality appears to be limited as regards nitrates, indicating that less intense agricultural practices implemented in recent years have been successful. As regards sulfates, Fe, and Mn, we cannot fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying human influence, but the oscillation of water level and degradation of peat enhanced by reclamation and agriculture activities likely played an important role in controlling the fate of these elements. Overall, these results underline the importance of integrated approaches to disentangle geochemical processes and will be useful in supporting policy implementation and environmental protection in this valuable area of Tuscany. Findings from this work suggest the need for policy-making authorities to take actions as soon as possible to mitigate risks. Closer co-operation is essential between authorities and farmers to reduce inputs of fertilizers and chemicals into the lake and the surrounding area. Also, additional policy measures should be enforced to reduce the mechanical soil tillage and limit erosion and runoff, such as the NBSs implemented within the Phusicos Project.

Studies on Soil Physical Quality of PT Coal Mine Reclamation Land, Sumber Bara Abadi, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, Indonesia

Evaluation of the physical quality of soil on coal mine reclaimed land is needed to monitor and evaluate reclamation activities aimed at restoring and improving soil quality. The results of the evaluation of the quality of the physical properties of the soil are presented as an index of the physical quality of the soil which can be used as input for taking further soil management actions. This research aims to determine the characteristics of the physical properties of the soil and assess the physical quality of the soil on coal mine reclaimed land as outlined in the soil physical quality index (IKFT). This research was carried out from August to November 2022 on the reclaimed coal mine land of PT. Sumber Bara Abadi, Sumber Sari Village, Sebulu District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The method used in this research was a survey. Determining the location of soil samples was carried out using a purposive method based on reclaimed land cover, reclamation age, and slope. Data analysis was carried out directly in the field and soil analysis in the soil laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, Mulawarman University. The assessment of the IKFT is carried out after the analysis of the physical characteristics of the soil has been determined. The IKFT is measured by following a three-step procedure, namely identification of indicator data sets, interpretation of indicators, and integration of all indicator scores into one overall IKFT value. The research results show that (1) the physical characteristics of the soil are: soil texture varies between clay, clay loam, and sandy clay loam; Soil porosity is classified as poor and good; stability of aggregate is classified as less stable aggregate to very stable; Soil permeability is relatively slow and moderate; bulk density is classified as medium and slightly dense; surface rocks are abundant; the depth of the solum is classified as shallow and medium; and (2) the physical quality of the soil on reclaimed coal mine land is classified as rather low and moderate with limiting factors including a large amount of surface rock, large bulk density, low solum depth, and low aggregate stability.

Simultaneous stochastic optimisation of mining complexes: Integrating progressive reclamation and waste management with contextual bandits

ABSTRACT Managing environmental performance of waste dump facilities in mining complexes is an integral part of long-term production planning. Sustainable long-term production scheduling solutions are desired to mitigate risk and return the environment to a productive post-mining state. A simultaneous stochastic optimisation framework for long-term production scheduling in mining complexes is developed that integrates waste management and progressive reclamation. The waste dump placement schedule is jointly optimised with the extraction sequence, destination policy, and stockpiling decisions in a single stochastic mathematical programming framework. This includes the timing of progressive reclamation activities in parallel with production to enhance waste dump rehabilitation. Uncertainty related to the production of acid rock drainage is quantified by simulating geochemical properties of waste and managing the blending of uncertain waste properties within the optimisation framework. With respect to the framework for simultaneous stochastic optimisation, contextual bandits are explored to improve the metaheuristic solution approach and solve the corresponding large-scale optimisation model. The framework is tested in a multi-mine copper-gold mining complex leading to improved environmental performance. Risk of acid rock drainage is decreased by 52.5% in the waste dump facilities. Reclamation planning activities for meeting environmental requirements are scheduled prior to closure. The solution approach more effectively improves the objective function with contextual bandits leading to a 24% improvement in the study presented.

Variations of the soil macrofauna community and corresponding influencing factors in the newly reclaimed coastal area: A case study in Yangtze Estuary, China

Intensive reclamation activity has reshaped global coastal ecosystems. Soil macrofauna, an effective proxy for ecosystem health, has the potential to predict coastal reclamation ecological impact. Previous studies have primarily focused on the long-term (≥ 30 years) soil macrofaunal succession in reclaimed areas. However, composition of the soil macrofauna and its environmental drivers in newly reclaimed areas (< 30 years) remain uncertain. We selected Hengsha Dongtan in the Yangtze Estuary to conduct the study, and four different regions (reclaimed for 13, 8, 4, and 1 year, respectively) were employed to investigate soil macrofaunal composition and corresponding environmental drivers. The results showed that: (1) Terrestrial species millipedes (Paradoxosomatidae sp.), chinch bugs (Dimorphopterus spinolae), and wolf spiders (Pirata subpiraticus) were dominant. Millipedes, chinch bugs, wolf spiders, ants (Myrmecina sp.), and rove beetles (Stenus melanarius and Paederus fuscipes) were major species contributing to the average dissimilarity among regions. (2) The taxonomic composition of soil macrofauna varied over time after reclamation, which showed that the number of species, density, and biomass of soil macrofauna in region 1 (reclaimed for 13 years) was higher than that in regions 2, 3, and 4 (reclaimed for 8, 4, and 1 year). (3) The functional composition of soil macrofauna varied over time after reclamation. The number of species, density, and biomass of the phytophagous and saprophagous groups increased over time, whereas those of the predatory group decreased gradually. (4) Soil pH and total organic carbon content, together with land use, appeared to be key factors that determine soil macrofaunal composition. Overall, our study illustrates the response of soil macrofauna to changes in environmental factors and land use in newly reclaimed areas. Future studies should expand the range of potential factors and comprehensively analyze the mechanisms that maintain soil macrofaunal diversity in reclaimed areas.

Dryland soil recovery after disturbance across soil and climate gradients of the Colorado Plateau

Drylands impacted by energy development often require costly reclamation activities to reconstruct damaged soils and vegetation, yet little is known about the effectiveness of reclamation practices in promoting recovery of soil quality due to a lack of long-term and cross-site studies. Here, we examined paired on-pad and adjacent undisturbed off-pad soil properties over a 22-year chronosequence of 91 reclaimed oil or gas well pads across soil and climate gradients of the Colorado Plateau in the southwestern United States. Our goals were to estimate the time required for soil properties to reach undisturbed conditions, examine the multivariate nature of soil quality following reclamation, and identify environmental factors that affect reclamation outcomes. Soil samples, collected in 2020 and 2021, were analyzed for biogeochemical pools (total nitrogen, and total organic and inorganic carbon), chemical characteristics (salinity, sodicity, pH), and texture. Predicted time to recovery across all sites was 29 years for biogeochemical soil properties, 31 years for soil chemical properties, and 6 years for soil texture. Ordination of soil properties revealed differences between on- and off-pad soils, while site aridity explained variability in on-pad recovery. The predicted time to total soil recovery (distance between on- and off-pad in ordination space) was 96 years, which was longer than any individual soil property. No site reached total recovery, indicating that individual soil properties alone may not fully indicate recovery in soil quality as soil recovery does not equal the sum of its parts. Site aridity was the largest predictor of reclamation outcomes, but the effects differed depending on soil type. Taken together, results suggest the recovery of soil quality - which reflects soil fertility, carbon sequestration potential, and other ecosystem functions - was influenced primarily by site setting, with soil type and aridity major mediators of on-pad carbon, salinity, and total soil recovery following reclamation.

Pelaksanaan Reklamasi Lahan Pasca Tambang PT Rekasindo Guriang Tandang di Bengkulu

Coal mining in Indonesia is generally carried out using open pit mining methods, thereby disrupting and destroying the ecosystem and natural balance, causing negative impacts that result in environmental damage. Therefore, sustainable development with an environmental perspective is important for every nation and country that wants to protect its natural resources. The main cause of damage to the ecosystem or environment is humans. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach method. According to Williams (1988), the qualitative method is an approach that in the research proposal, process, hypothesis, going into the field, data analysis and data conclusions up to writing uses aspects of trends, non-numerical calculations, situational descriptive, interviews, in-depth analysis, deep. contents, snowballs and stories. The research findings regarding the study of the implementation of ex-mining land reclamation at PT Rekasindo Guriang Tandang's Coal Mining Business License in North Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu Province are regarding community knowledge and participation in reclamation activities, land preparation, implementation of activities, equipment, costs, and commitment of directors or managers. The implementation of reclamation activities at PT Rekasindo Guriang Tandang did not go well because the plant growth success rate was low and plant growth was less than optimal. So the government and Mining Business License (IUP) managers need to take policies to involve the community more to play a more active role in reclamation activities carried out in areas around their environment.

Analysis Study of Acquisition of Rights to Land Resulting from Beach Reclamation in Bima City

This research aims to analyze the process of implementing the acquisition of rights to land resulting from coastal reclamation in the city of Bima and to examine the legal implications of the reclamation activities along the Bima coastline. The study adopts an empirical legal research approach, incorporating statutory, conceptual, and socio-legal perspectives. Both library and field data are utilized in the research process. The findings of the study reveal the procedural intricacies involved in obtaining rights to land resulting from coastal reclamation in Bima City. The acquisition of these rights necessitates alignment with the regional spatial plan (RTRW) and relevant laws and regulations. The implementation unfolds in two stages: initial unauthorized landfilling and subsequent issuance of certificates for reclaimed beaches, constituting an illegal act. The legal implications of such unlawful beach reclamation in Bima City manifest in several ways. Firstly, the Ownership Rights and HGB (building use rights) certificates authorized by the National Land Agency (BPN) may be considered illegitimate. Secondly, the Bima City government faces restrictions in collecting Property Tax (PBB) and Land and Building Acquisition Duty (BPHTB) taxes on land resulting from the illegal reclamation.

A Changing Landscape: Exploring the Relationship between Clean and Clear Status Policy, Coal Mining, and Deforestation

Coal plays a crucial role in energy generation in developing nations and serves as a vital source of power amidst growing energy demands. However, coal mining often acts as a primary driver of deforestation and poses significant environmental challenges. Indonesia, a country with extensive forest areas and a significant coal producer, has implemented a Clean and Clear status policy to address regional and administrative issues related to mining permits. This study aims to assess the impact of this government permit for coal mining in forest areas using the fixed effect panel data method, offering insights into the relationship between coal mining activities and deforestation trends. The analysis focused on the period from 2010 to 2019 and covered 110 regencies in Indonesia, providing a comprehensive understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of forest loss. The estimation findings indicated a negative correlation between the areas allocated for coal mining concession permits and forest areas, underscoring the need for stringent regulations and effective land management practices. Therefore, it is recommended that the Clean and Clear status policy not only be applicable during the permit granting phase, but also prioritize post-mining periods to ensure the completion of land reclamation activities.

Defense and Protection of the Marine Coastal Areas and Human Health: A Case Study of Asbestos Cement Contamination (Italy)

Pivotal environmental geology research was carried out in the protected area of Cape Peloro (Messina, NE Sicily, Italy). The main aims were the ascertainment of the presence of Asbestos Cement Materials (ACMs), their mapping, and, consequently, an estimation of the potential risk for human health and marine coastal environments. The beaches surveyed covered 4500 m of coastline. Through high-resolution photographic surveys, over 520 fiber cement fragments were documented on the beaches as well as in beach deposits. The materials, after microscope, SEM-EDS, and FTIR analyses, were found to be composed of Portland cement with chrysotile and crocidolite fibers. Fragments of ACMs showed typical corrugated forms with centimeter-to-decimeter sizes and prevailing well-rounded, platy, and sub-elongate shapes. In a few localities, some fragments were found to be angular or friable. Furthermore, some fragments found on the beach were covered by conspicuous encrustations of marine organisms, testifying to their long staying in shallow-water marine environments. Illicit landfills and abandoned materials were identified in natural sections on the coastal plain. Most of the rounded ACMs were characterized by their surface texture, with mm-size asbestos fibers exposed on the surface due to significant weathering and abrasion. Notably, new fragments appeared after storms. Significant criticisms have been made related to the ACMs, analogously to what was reported for other Italian marine beaches. Possible intervention and reclamation activities cannot limit themselves to removing the fragments on the beach, as fragments are immersed in the coastal sediments at different depths and are also found in the marine deposits. Here, it is underlined that any asbestos removal and reclamation activities, if not designed and based on a multidisciplinary approach and knowledge of local coastal dynamics and the meteo-marine climate, will be very expensive and ineffective.