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East Kalimantan's abandoned mines bring risks and rewards

Govt plans to turn 'death trap' pits into facilities, agritourism sites for communities

Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan, is home to 1,375 abandoned coal mines. Left unreclaimed, these water-filled mining pits are a danger to the local community.
Right: A location believed to be an illegal mining pit in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan. Left: Fish breeder Marsulap returning from his fish farm in a mine lake that is now a source of income for his family. Far left: Miner Sug
Miner Sugianto Batara, who lives only a few steps away from a mine lake in Samarinda, with his sons. They use water from the lake to bathe and wash clothes. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Right: A location believed to be an illegal mining pit in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan. Left: Fish breeder Marsulap returning from his fish farm in a mine lake that is now a source of income for his family. Far left: Miner Sug
The resource-rich province of East Kalimantan commands about 28 per cent of Indonesia’s coal reserves. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Right: A location believed to be an illegal mining pit in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan. Left: Fish breeder Marsulap returning from his fish farm in a mine lake that is now a source of income for his family. Far left: Miner Sug
A location believed to be an illegal mining pit in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Right: A location believed to be an illegal mining pit in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan. Left: Fish breeder Marsulap returning from his fish farm in a mine lake that is now a source of income for his family. Far left: Miner Sug
Ms Rahmawati, with a photo of her 10-year-old son, who drowned in one of the mine lakes near her house. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Right: A location believed to be an illegal mining pit in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan. Left: Fish breeder Marsulap returning from his fish farm in a mine lake that is now a source of income for his family. Far left: Miner Sug
Farmer Misidi in front of a mining pit near his home. The mine has affected his farm and also his house, which is the last one standing in the area. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Right: A location believed to be an illegal mining pit in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan. Left: Fish breeder Marsulap returning from his fish farm in a mine lake that is now a source of income for his family. Far left: Miner Sug
Fish breeder Marsulap returning from his fish farm in a mine lake that is now a source of income for his family. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Right: A location believed to be an illegal mining pit in Samarinda, the provincial capital of East Kalimantan. Left: Fish breeder Marsulap returning from his fish farm in a mine lake that is now a source of income for his family. Far left: Miner Sug
Ms Teresia Jari ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Arlina Arshad Regional Correspondent In Samarinda (East Kalimantan)
Updated
Feb 11, 2020, 08:18 AM
Published
Feb 11, 2020, 05:00 AM
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Indonesian rice farmer Misidi squats on the edge of a massive open-pit coal mine north of East Kalimantan's capital of Samarinda and watches helplessly as dozens of excavators dig and scoop up earth and rocks from what used to be his neighbours' houses and farms.

They have all left the Buana Jaya village in Mulawarman district to escape the dirt, dust and unbearable noise from the mining activities.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 11, 2020, with the headline East Kalimantan's abandoned mines bring risks and rewards. Subscribe

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MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

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