\u201cNo, still no. Because we are the ones who feel the impact. Even\nbefore the mines arrived, we were hit by disasters. Even if they say it\nwon\u2019t affect our plantations, how can they extract what is inside\nwithout cutting down the trees?\u201d<\/p>\n
These words were spoken by Mak Andari and Mak Discus when discussing\nBeutong Ateuh, the place where they were born and have lived for\ndecades. Both appeared emotional, before returning to collect fallen\ncandlenut seeds in their garden.<\/p>\n
Candlenut is the primary plantation crop for the community in Beutong\nAteuh Banggalang, Nagan Raya, Aceh. Residents also cultivate cocoa,\nareca nut, and various secondary crops.<\/p>\n
Mak Andari, Mak Agus, and other women in the buffer zone of the\nLeuser Ecosystem typically sell candlenut seeds to collectors for\nRp7,000 per kilogram. They consider this income sufficient to meet their\ndaily needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe still eat three times a day here, even with simple side dishes.\nFerns and eggplant grow wild; we just pick them for vegetables and\nsalads,\u201d Mak Andari and Mak Agus said in unison.<\/p>\n
More than a decade ago, the residents of Beutong Ateuh faced PT Emas\nMineral Murni (EMM). The conflict lasted a long time until, in 2020, the\nSupreme Court revoked the company\u2019s Mining Business Licence (IUP).<\/p>\n
Six years after that decision, two mining exploration permits have\nbeen re-issued in Beutong Ateuh, one each for the copper companies PT\nAlam Cempaka Wangi (ACW) and PT Hasil Bumi Sembada (HBS).<\/p>\n
This anxiety arises amidst the ongoing recovery process of Beutong\nAteuh from the massive floods that occurred late last year.<\/p>\n
Disaster Looms<\/p>\n
Mak Agus still remembers the flash flood on 26 November 2025. Before\nthe flood arrived, the unusual change in the river\u2019s water levels had\nput residents on alert.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/beutong-ateuh-mining-permits-issued-while-still-recovering-from-flash-floods-1789207040", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }