Toxic waste spreads in Barito regency

The level of toxic waste especially chemical substance such as mangaan (Mg) in several locations in the regency of North Barito, Central Kalimantan, has exceeded the maximum level set by the government, Banjarmasin Pos reported on Saturday.

Ardianyah Romzah, the head of the local office of the Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedal), said that the high level of the toxic substance such as mangaan was found in former mining sites of gold mining company PT Indo Muro Kencana.

He said that the mining company did not carry out reclamation works as required, creating many wild ponds in its former mining locations. According to him, the high level of the mangaan substance has spread and polluted the nearby rivers, risking the lives of the surrounding villagers who mostly still use the water river for their daily needs.

The rivers which have been heavily polluted by the toxic substance include Muro River, Melau Besar River and Melau Kecil River, Ardiansyah said. (*)