Lumajang Regent Moves to Regulate Sand Mining on Mount Semeru

The Regent of Lumustang, Indah Amperawati, has urged that sand mining activities in the Mount Semeru area not be conducted at night, following an incident where a miner was buried by the remains of Semeru’s pyroclastic flows.

“Sand mining activities in the Mount Semeru area need to observe safe operational time limits,” Indah stated in her announcement in Lumajang on Sunday (21/6), as reported by Antara.

A sand miner, Veri Irawan (33), a resident of Sumberwuluh Village, Candipuro District, was buried by the remains of Mount Semeru’s pyroclastic flows (APG) while performing manual sand mining in the Mount Semeru lava flow area in the early hours of Saturday (20/6). This occurred because the individual had started mining activities on the night of Friday (19/6).

“This time restriction is an important mitigation step to reduce the risks that may arise due to changing natural conditions in the volcanic material flow area,” said Indah.

She explained that mining activities should not be carried out until late at night because field conditions during those hours tend to be more difficult to monitor. Furthermore, the dynamics of the Semeru area can change at any time due to weather factors, material movement, or the potential for lava flows during rainfall in the upstream regions.

“We continue to remind everyone that mining activities must observe safe operational hours. This is essential so that miners have better safety margins when working in the disaster-prone Semeru area,” she said.

According to her, implementing more disciplined operational hours will help miners monitor field conditions more optimally, including facilitating a rapid response should disaster information be released by the authorities.

“Mining activities from midday to late afternoon provide a better opportunity for miners to recognise changes in field conditions, compared to activities conducted at night when visibility decreases and potential hazards are harder to detect quickly,” she added.

The local government is encouraging all parties involved in mining activities—ranging from miners and field coordinators to village governments—to collectively build discipline regarding operational hours as part of a safe working culture.

“The restriction of operational hours is not intended to hinder the community’s livelihood, but to ensure that economic activities continue while prioritising the safety of miners and surrounding residents,” she said.

Indah explained that safety must be an inseparable part of economic activities in the disaster-prone Semeru area. Therefore, compliance with operational hours, vigilance regarding field conditions, and attention to official disaster information must continue to be strengthened.

“The Lumajang Regency Government will continue to conduct socialisation and strengthen communication with the mining community so that appeals regarding safe operational hours can be understood and implemented consistently in the field,” she said.

Through discipline regarding operational hours, increased vigilance, and compliance with safety appeals, it is hoped that mining activities in the Semeru area can proceed more safely, measurably, and responsibly.

Meanwhile, the victim, Veri, who suffered serious burns of up to 80 per cent after being buried by the remains of Semeru’s pyroclastic flows and was being treated at RSUD dr Haryoto Lumajang, was reported to have passed away on Sunday morning.