Illegal sand mining runs along Cianjur southern coast

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The ban imposed by the Cianjur regent for illegal sand mining activities along the seashore south of the West Java town has fallen on deaf ears.

Small-time dredgers were seen taking sand, which is used as a material to produce cement, along the beaches of Sindangbarang, Sinar Laut, and Sereg on Saturday.

Antara reported that most of the dredgers used to operate their heavy machines and load tons of sand on trucks at night and sell it to several nearby towns. The sand is believed to contain between 50 percent and 60 percent iron.

Daryono Mihardja, chairman of the commission A at the regency legislative council, said on Saturday that he had recently learned of the rampant illegal activities.

He urged the regency administration to take stern measures in order to stop the sand exploitation because it had caused serious abrasion to the coastal area.

Given the modern machines used, Daryono accused the locals of being backed by cement companies.

"It is impossible for common people to operate modern machines to dig the sand," he said.

The mining activities have tarnished the beauty of the beaches while the trucks transporting the sand had damaged access to the seashores. The mining is believed to have spread to the border with Garut regency.

As a result, the coastal areas have become fragile, which could endanger people. The affected areas are particularly Sereg and Jayagiri beaches, both are in Sindangbarang district, and Sukaratu beach in Cidaun district.

However, local people remain indifferent because they are involved. Reports said they could sell one cubic meter to the cement company for Rp 22,000 or Rp 7,000 through a broker.

The local people denied the allegations, and said used the sand privately.

"It's better if the local administration takes firm actions against illegal miners because it can destroy the beaches," Nurjaman, one of local residents, said.