Sumbawa Barat, W Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) – Sumbawa District Head H. Syarafuddin Jarot confirmed illegal mining in Lawang Tuwa, Lantung Subdistrict, West Nusa Tenggara Province, had been halted after an accident killed three people and injured six others.
“I came directly to the site to ensure the ban we issued was being enforced,” he said during an inspection of the Lawang Tuwa mining area on Wednesday.
Jarot said illegal mining involved more than licensing and administrative issues, also posing risks to public safety and the environment.
He said the local government did not intend to deprive residents of their livelihoods. However, all mining must comply with the law, hold valid permits, meet safety standards and protect the environment.
“Residents may earn a living, but not in ways that endanger themselves or others. Mining must be legal, safe and responsible,” he said.
To ensure the halt is sustained, Jarot urged subdistrict and village authorities, security personnel and local residents to strengthen monitoring of the area.
He warned that mining activities must not merely stop temporarily and then resume secretly once the situation is deemed safe.
“Our natural resources must be managed to benefit the community. But they must be managed legally, safely, orderly and responsibly. Profit must never come at the cost of lives,” he said.
The district head was accompanied by Sumbawa’s regional secretary, the first and third deputy speakers of the Sumbawa legislative council, and the head of the Protocol and Leadership Communications Division.
The mining accident in Lawang Tuwa occurred Saturday (September 5) at about 9:30 p.m. local time when rocks and soil collapsed onto miners collecting material below a cliff.
The material reportedly collapsed after mining activity above the cliff dislodged or pried loose rocks, causing them to fall onto miners working below.
Of the nine victims, one died at the scene and two died while receiving medical treatment at Lantung Community Health Center. The other six suffered injuries.
Police are investigating the cause of the accident by examining the scene and questioning several witnesses.
Police also cordoned off the site to secure the area and support the investigation. Several pieces of mining equipment and heavy machinery at the site were secured.
The regent had previously ordered mining operations without People’s Mining Permits (IPR) to stop. The Sumbawa district government also coordinated with West Nusa Tenggara authorities, which oversee mining permits.
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Translator: Ady A, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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