Illegal mining in Central Kalimantan creates heavy pollution

Illegal gold mining activity in Central Kalimantan province has caused heavy pollution to the local river, and may even cause the people to suffer the so-called ?Minamata? disease because of the heavy use of mercury, according to an environmental expert.

Head of the environmental research center of the local Palangkaraya University Andrie Elia was quoted by the Banjarmasin Post daily as saying that the mercury pollution in almost all rivers in Central Kalimantan has reached an alarming level.

He said that there were around 2,000-3,000 illegal gold miners in Central Kalimantan, and mostly concentrated near the Barito river, Kapua, Kahayan, Mantaya, Seruyan, Lamandau, and Jelai rivers.

Andrie urged the administration to gradually curb the illegal mining to lessen the environmental pollution.(*)