Walhi Finds Mercury Contamination in Water and Blood of Illegal Miners in West Sumatra

Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia (Walhi) West Sumatra has reported that illegal gold mining activities are causing severe mercury contamination in rivers and the miners themselves. Tommy Adam, Walhi’s Regional Executive Director for West Sumatra, stated that research found mercury levels in the Batang Hari river basin exceeding 5.1 milligrams per litre, which is more than 5,000 times the safe limit. The contamination flows downstream to Jambi province. Walhi’s research also detected mercury levels above safe thresholds in the blood and fingernails of illegal miners. Adam warned that communities still using water from the upper reaches of the Indragiri and Batang Hari river basins face serious health threats, including diseases that could endanger future generations. Separately, Bayu Permana Datuak Tan Marajo, head of the Kasang customary council, expressed the community’s firm rejection of mining activities in their area, citing environmental concerns and traumatic past incidents. He confirmed the community’s stance has been conveyed to relevant agencies and the Governor of West Sumatra.