Landslide at illegal Indonesian Gold Mine claims 11 lives, leaves 19 missing

A devastating landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, has claimed the lives of at least 11 people at an unauthorized gold mining site on Sulawesi island in Indonesia. As of Monday, 19 individuals remain missing, according to officials.

Details of the incident:

The landslide occurred at a small traditional gold mine located in the remote Bone Bolango district of Gorontalo province. Approximately 35 villagers were engaged in gold mining activities on Sunday when tons of mud cascaded down the hills surrounding the pit, burying them. Rescue efforts led to the recovery of 11 bodies by Monday, with five injured survivors rescued earlier.

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Afifuddin Ilahude, spokesperson for Gorontalo's Search and Rescue Agency, highlighted the challenges faced by rescuers due to ongoing heavy rains and obstructed roads covered in mud and debris. Evacuation efforts for the deceased and those missing have been particularly difficult.

Impact and response:

Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency, noted that besides the landslide, torrential rains also breached an embankment, causing floods up to 3 meters high in five nearby villages. This has affected nearly 300 houses and prompted over 1,000 people to seek safety.

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Informal gold mining is common across Indonesia, offering a precarious livelihood to thousands despite the dangers involved. These operations are fraught with risks such as landslides, flooding, and tunnel collapses. Moreover, the extraction process often involves hazardous substances like mercury and cyanide, with workers frequently lacking adequate protective measures.

Indonesia has witnessed similar tragedies in the past due to the hazardous conditions of illegal mining. In April 2022, a landslide at an unauthorized gold mine in North Sumatra claimed the lives of 12 women. Similarly, in February 2019, over 40 people perished when a makeshift structure collapsed at an illegal gold mine in North Sulawesi.

In conclusion, the recent landslide underscores the ongoing risks faced by miners in Indonesia's informal gold mining sector. Efforts to regulate and improve safety measures in these operations remain critical to preventing future tragedies and safeguarding the lives of those dependent on this hazardous industry.