Sampanahan Watershed Severely Damaged by Rampant Illegal Gold Mining in Kotabaru

Illegal gold mining activity is increasingly rampant in the foothills of the Meratus Mountains, Hampang District, Kotabaru Regency, South Kalimantan. This situation has prompted urgent calls from the local indigenous community for authorities to take firm action, as the unlicensed operations have encroached on customary lands and severely damaged the upstream area of the Sampanahan Watershed (DAS). Sahrianto, Chair of the Regional Management of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (PD-AMAN) Kotabaru, expressed disappointment over the slow response from relevant parties, stating that reports of the environmental damage had been lodged long ago. He noted that despite reports to the local government and law enforcement, no action has been taken, and the mining activities continue to proliferate and cause further environmental destruction. The illegal gold mining operations have been active for almost a year, with extraction points spread across several villages, including Sampanahan, Limbur, and Mangkalaian in Hampang District. The large-scale operations utilise dozens of heavy machinery units and sand suction devices, which have not only polluted water flows but also caused severe structural damage to the Sampanahan watershed. Sahrianto added that residents who attempted to voice their concerns faced intimidation, and he suspects that certain individuals may be backing the inaction. The environmental damage poses a real threat to the surrounding community, the majority of whom depend on shifting cultivation for their livelihoods. Beyond destroying their source of income, the damage to the watershed at the foot of the Meratus Mountains raises fears of future hydrometeorological disasters such as flash floods. Responding to the indigenous community’s complaints, the police stated that a report has been formally received and is currently under legal process. Kotabaru Police Chief AKBP Ade Harri Sistriawan confirmed that the report regarding the suspected illegal gold mining activity in Hampang District is being handled by the Criminal Investigation Unit. The community is now waiting for concrete action from law enforcement to save the Meratus Mountains ecosystem before it is too late.