Landslide triggered by torrential rain kills 11 people at illegal gold mine in Indonesia; 19 missing
JAKARTA, Indonesia — A landslide triggered by torrential rains crashed onto an unauthorized gold mining operation on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, killing at least 11 people, officials said Monday. Nineteen others were reported missing.
About 35 villagers were digging for grains of gold on Sunday in a pit at the small traditional gold mine in remote Bone Bolango district in Gorontalo province when tons of mud plunged down the surrounding hills and buried them, said Afifuddin Ilahude, Gorontalo’s Search and Rescue Agency spokesperson.
He said rescuers saved five injured people on Sunday and had recovered 11 bodies by Monday. Rescuers are still searching for 19 others who were reported missing, he said.
“Relief efforts for the dead and missing were hampered by heavy rain and blocked roads covered with thick mud and debris,” Ilahude said. He said rescuers were having difficulty in evacuating three of the recovered bodies.
National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said torrential rains that have pounded the area since Saturday also broke an embankment, causing floods of up to 3 meters in five villages in Bone Bolango. Nearly 300 houses were affected and more than 1,000 people have fled for safety.
Informal mining operations are common in Indonesia, providing a tenuous livelihood to thousands who labor in conditions with a high risk of serious injury or death.
Landslides, flooding and collapses of tunnels are just some of the hazards facing miners. Much of gold ore processing involves highly toxic mercury and cyanide and workers frequently use little or no protection.
The country’s last major mining-related accident occurred in April 2022 when a landslide crashed onto an illegal traditional gold mine in North Sumatra’s Mandailing Natal district, killing 12 women who were looking for gold.
In February 2019, a makeshift wooden structure in an illegal gold mine in North Sulawesi province collapsed due to shifting soil and the large number of mining holes. More than 40 people were buried and died.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!
See more
Get Current Updates on World News, US News , Hollywood News , Anime and Top Headlines from around the world.
News / World News / Landslide triggered by torrential rain kills 11 people at illegal gold mine in Indonesia; 19 missing
## Additional Insight
Illegal mining operations like the one in Indonesia pose significant risks to miners and surrounding communities due to the lack of oversight and safety protocols. The use of toxic substances like mercury and cyanide further exacerbates the dangers faced by miners in these illicit operations. It is crucial for authorities to crack down on illegal mining activities to prevent further tragic incidents like the recent landslide in Sulawesi.
## Impact of Natural Disasters
Natural disasters, such as heavy rainfall and landslides, can have devastating consequences on vulnerable communities engaged in informal mining. The recent incident in Indonesia serves as a reminder of the precarious conditions faced by those involved in these operations, highlighting the urgent need for better regulation and enforcement to protect miners and prevent future tragedies.
With rising geopolitical tensions and the Federal Reserve shifting toward rate cuts, 2024 is shaping up to be gold's best year in over four decades, reigniting strong investor...
Facile Photochemical Synthesis of Luminescent Gold Nanoparticles Chinese scientists have recently developed a facile photochemical route for the preparation of gold nanoparticles with excellent luminescence properties. Importance of...
Gold Hits New Record High as Trump Trade Talks Stall Survey Data Shows Positive Signs, but Inflation Expectations Rise 'Soft' survey data from the Philly and Richmond Feds...
Elaborate Heist at Edina Jewelry Store Police in Edina are looking into a sophisticated break-in at a jewelry store that sounds like something out of a movie script....