A tragic landslide struck an unauthorized gold mining site in Sungai Abu, Indonesia, on Sumatra Island, claiming the lives of at least 12 individuals. Villagers engaging in gold extraction were caught off guard by the cascading mud caused by heavy rains, burying them in the Solok district of West Sumatra province on Thursday.
The challenging terrain and lack of communication posed significant obstacles for the rescue operations, slowing down the efforts to assist those affected by the disaster. Despite some individuals managing to escape and being rescued by emergency responders, 12 bodies were recovered from the site. Initial reports indicating 15 casualties were amended as officials encountered difficulties in accurately tallying the victims due to the remote location and communication issues.
Abdul Malik, the head of the local search and rescue agency, highlighted that the rescue mission was impeded by the rough landscape, blocked roads layered with mud and debris, and resistance from some residents towards outsider intervention in their traditional mining zones. Access to the devastated area required a four-hour trek on foot from the nearest settlement, further complicating the relief efforts.
Informal mining activities are prevalent in Indonesia, offering a precarious source of income to numerous individuals working under hazardous conditions that pose significant risks of severe injuries or fatalities. Miners face various dangers such as landslides, floods, and tunnel collapses in their pursuit of valuable minerals. Moreover, the extraction and processing of gold ore involve the utilization of toxic substances like mercury and cyanide, with workers often lacking adequate safety measures.
This unfortunate event adds to a string of mining-related incidents in Indonesia, including a similar landslide at an illegal gold mine in Gorontalo province in July 2022, resulting in the deaths of least 23 workers. Another tragic incident occurred in April 2022 when a landslide hit a gold mine in North Sumatra, claiming the lives of 12 women. Back in February 2019, over 40 individuals were trapped underground after a wooden structure collapsed in an illegal gold mine in North Sulawesi province due to unstable soil.
