Illegal Gold Miners Considered The Cause Of Floods In Sigi Regency

Sigi Deputy Regent Samuel Yansen Pongi led the closure of gold mining without a permit in▁umumnyado Satu Village, Sigi Biromaru District. (ANTARA)

SIGI - Sigi Regency Government (Pemkab), Central Sulawesi, stated that Unlicensed Gold Mining (PETI) is one of the factors causing landslides and floods that threaten people's survival.

"Therefore, our gold mining activities without permission are closed," said Sigi Deputy Regent Samuel Yansen Pongi, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, May 4.

His party did not compromise with mining activities or activities without a permit because it only damaged the environment and had a big impact on natural disasters.

The Deputy Regent directly led the control of PETI in Sayangdo Satu Village, Sigi Biromaru District. The activity was attended by the Head of the Lore Lindu National Park and the Forkopimda Elements of Sigi Regency, tripika sub-districts, village heads, and community leaders in Madraso One.

Samuel said the land clearing for PETI activities in the forest area of Sindondo Satu Village had violated statutory provisions, because the location of mining activities was in a protected forest area by the government through the Lore Lindu National Park Center (BTNLL).

"And as a government, I strongly reject PETI activities in the Sigi Regency area," he said.

Samuel emphasized that the closure of PETI activities, which was included in the closure of the material excavation hole, was intended to minimize environmental impacts, including the closure being included by confiscating chemicals used in the process of refining gold material into gold seeds.

The Deputy Regent stated that as a form of empowerment, the residents involved in mining activities would be empowered by the government.

"For workers or communities involved in the mining area that is closed, later they will be given plant seeds and livestock as a substitute, in order to help their economy and from the Lore Lindu National Park Office will also provide economic support programs," he said.

The Deputy Regent of Sigi together with all parties who participated in the closing of the PETI, immediately sealed what was marked by the police line and then the officers who were deployed also put up banners prohibiting mining in the area.