North Sulawesi administration reiterates concern over heavy mercury pollution

The North Sulawesi administration reiterated concern over the heavy mercury pollution in various places in Minahasa and Manado resulting from gold mining activities.

The local Manado Post daily quoted North Sulawesi deputy governor Freddy Sualang as saying that the international broadcasting firms had reported the mercury pollution in the area.

He said that if this could have severe economic consequences in which local fishermen catch would be banned in the export market.

Freddy said that the mercury problem must be immediately resolved. He said that one option was to campaign the use of cyanide instead of mercury in gold mining activity.

The Manado Post daily said that traditional gold mining activities have been mushrooming in the Dimembe area by using mercury. According to some estimate, around 6 tons of mercury are being released into the Manado waters every month. (*)