Mining Exploitation and End-of-Life Threats for Small Islands

Exploitation of nature on small islands can be categorized as an environmental crime, given the high ecological vulnerability with low resilience.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Eksploitasi Pertambangan dan Ancaman Akhir Hayat Pulau-pulau Kecil

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

The condition of the sea along the coast of Sukarela Jaya Village in Southeast Wawonii, Konawe Islands, which is polluted with mud, on Thursday (1/6/2023). This condition is strongly suspected to be a result of mining activities. Nickel mining has been protested by residents several times, ranging from land issues to damaging and muddying springs.

Exploitation of mining has a high risk of degrading regional ecosystems, especially on small islands. Not only causing environmental damage, mining activities also trigger social vulnerabilities that have the potential to trigger conflicts between communities.

According to the records of the Mining Advocacy Network (Jatam) in 2022, there were found to be at least 164 mining permits on 55 small islands throughout Indonesia. Several of these small islands are currently experiencing damage due to mining exploitation. These small islands include Pulau Obi, Pulau Pakal, Pulau Gebe, and Pulau Mabuli in North Maluku; Pulau Wawonii in Southeast Sulawesi; Pulau Sangihe in North Sulawesi; Pulau Kodingareng in South Sulawesi; and Pulau Bunyu in North Kalimantan.

Exploitation of nature on small islands can be categorized as an environmental crime, considering their high ecological vulnerability and low resilience. This means that once damage occurs to one part of the island, its effects can quickly spread throughout the entire island and be difficult to restore. The highly specific ecological system of small islands, with its diversity of endemic species, makes its recovery very challenging.

One of the most complicated cases of damage to a small island occurred on Obi Island in North Halmahera which, among other things, was triggered by nickel mining. The nickel industry has damaged the social, economic and health aspects of local communities. A similar thing happened on Wawonii Island in Southeast Sulawesi which caused severe ecological damage (Kompas, 31/7/2023).

The island, which covers an area of ​​only 715 square kilometers, bears the impact of environmental damage due to nickel mining. Every year flash floods occur on this small island. In fact, before the mining project, natural disasters had never approached.

Another small island that experiences exploitation is Pulau Sangihe in North Sulawesi where more than half of its area is designated as a gold mining area. The total mining area reaches 42,000 hectares. Pulau Bunyu in North Kalimantan has a similar fate where the island is mined for its fossil resources such as oil, natural gas, and coal.

Also read: Flora and Fauna of Wawonii Island Threatened by Nickel Mines

The practice of exploiting small islands for mining is clearly contradictory to efforts to protect and conserve the environment. Moreover, Indonesia now has a number of regulations related to the management of small islands. The rules referred to are Law No. 1 of 2014 on the amendment of Law No. 27 of 2007 concerning Coastal and Small Island Management.

Article 23 Paragraph 2 of the Law clearly states that the use of small islands and the surrounding waters is prioritized for conservation, education and training, research and development, sustainable marine cultivation, tourism, sustainable fisheries and maritime businesses, organic farming, animal husbandry, as well as national defense and security. There is absolutely no clause regarding mining activities on small islands.

A ban on all forms of mining is also mentioned in Article 35, including sand, oil, gas, and minerals. Violations of the law in these rules will result in imprisonment for up to 10 years. A fine ranging from Rp 2 billion to Rp 10 billion will also be imposed.

Living space damage

Mining activities in small islands cause ecological disasters for the community. These ecological disasters include extreme disasters, water, soil, and sea pollution, forest damage, and difficult access to food, as well as the loss of living space for the community.

Excavation of land due to mining activities can also damage ecosystems that have been developed for millions of years. Consequently, the environmental balance is disrupted, triggering flash floods and landslides in previously disaster-free areas.

The bare soil surface reduces rain water infiltration and increases surface runoff. Meanwhile, the accumulation of mining materials and wood debris will be carried by surface water flow. The stability of small island slopes is also damaged due to massive excavation without considering topographic balance.

Also read: Main Biodiversity Areas Threatened by Mining Activities

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Residents show one of the sources of spring water filled with mud in Dompo-dompo Village, Southeast Wawonii, Konawe Islands, on Sunday (28/5/2023). This condition is suspected to be due to nickel mining activities in the surrounding environment. Residents are demanding that mining activities be stopped as they have caused suffering for the community.

Furthermore, there is also water, soil, and sea pollution caused by waste from mining commodity processing. One example is the contamination of clean water sources in Wawonii Island with mud, making it difficult for residents to meet their daily needs. Another case occurred in Bangka Island due to tin mining that damaged the coastal and mangrove ecosystems.

Not only ecologically, mining activities on small islands also pose a risk to the food security of local communities. Many food commodities eventually disappear, such as sago and copra. Jatam found the disappearance of sago and copra commodities on Gebe Island, Central Halmahera, North Maluku, due to nickel mining. Land use conversion has led to the collapse of the food ecosystem, making it difficult for communities to find food in the forests or fields because they have been converted for mining purposes.

Another impact of mining on small islands is the reduction of village areas and community livelihood locations. Environmental damage in the sea causes significant losses for fishermen who have increasingly difficulty catching fish. Farmers also experience similar problems and must swallow the bitter pill of crop failure due to insufficient access to water for their cultivation areas. Polluted river water from waste is also a deadly poison for plants.

Island protection

The small island region has a high potential for natural and social resources. The role of small islands is very strategic for Indonesia as an archipelagic country. However, land exploitation through mining has damaged the island ecosystem that has supported human life and local organisms.

Damage to small islands will result in great loss to biodiversity in the country. Many endemic species are only found in small islands. This condition is exacerbated by the vulnerability of the affected island regions to climate crisis, resulting in massive damage. Therefore, the Indonesian Government needs to remember and fulfill its commitment to managing small islands.

According to the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names 2019 document, the number of verified islands in Indonesia has reached 16,671 islands. There are still approximately 838 islands that have not been validated, either in terms of geographic position or origin and naming (toponymy).

Also read: The Riau Islands Community is Worried about the Environmental Impact of Sea Sand Mining

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Mining area in the open peak of Wawonii Tenggara hill region, Konawe Kepulauan, was protested by residents on Tuesday (30/5/2023). This nickel mining has been protested multiple times by locals, starting from issues related to land to being considered as causing damage and muddy springs.

In the international context, Indonesia has declared its commitment to jointly preserve its maritime environment and ecosystem. Indonesia's first international commitment was made during the 1972 Stockholm Declaration, which contained principles for future environmental management through the implementation of international environmental law.

The next commitment took place during the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. There were 27 principles in the declaration that were oriented towards sustainable management of land and sea environments. Indonesia's commitment to the environment was further strengthened in 2022 through the Johannesburg Declaration.

Domestic regulations have actually governed efforts to protect small islands. It started with Law No. 17 of 1985 regarding the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which asserts that Indonesia is an archipelagic state. Regarding decent living spaces for communities on small islands, there is protection through Law No. 39 of 1999 concerning the right to a good and healthy environment.

Environmental protection is also regulated by Law No. 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management. Then it is detailed for the management of small islands through Law No. 27 of 2007 which underwent changes in Law No. 1 of 2014. The utilization of small islands is also regulated in the Ministerial Regulation of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Number PER.20/MEN/2008.

All regulations relating to the use of small islands strictly regulate the functions of conservation, education, research and tourism. Therefore, the government must focus on returning these functions to prevent further decline in environmental quality on small islands. As a nation that has a maritime identity, the commitment to protecting its maritime environment and ecosystem, including on small islands, needs to be further increased by the government and all elements of the nation together. (R&D COMPAS)