Sand mining

Sand mining

From Sinar Pagi

Recently I accompanied a friend to buy sand in Karawang, West Java. The block of land where the sand is dug up is encircled by a two-meter high bamboo fence. Through a peep hole I could see the people's activities inside. It struck me when I saw how PT CJ used a sophisticated machine to dig the sand layer until it reached the depth of about 15 meters.

It seems that PT CJ has gone too far from the provision of the permit issued by the local government. And the area owned by the company is actually productive land which could yield two harvests yearly.

Karawang is known for its rice surpluses. But if the company is allowed to expand its digging activities it will affect the rice yielding capacity of the region.

Besides, according to local residents, they have had a shortage of water ever since the sand digging started. Although the company provided two tanks of water piped to the residents' houses it does not solve the water problem. Only those who live near the digging site get enough water.

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