{"id":95057,"date":"2023-09-21T12:09:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T05:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ekuatorial.com\/?p=95057"},"modified":"2023-10-16T13:01:28","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T06:01:28","slug":"sangihe-youth-push-back-against-mining-in-the-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ekuatorial.com\/en\/2023\/09\/sangihe-youth-push-back-against-mining-in-the-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Sangihe youth push back against mining in the island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The negative impacts of environmental degradation today will be felt by future generations. The young people of Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi, recognize this and are determined to protect and preserve the landscape in their homes from mining threats<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This effort culminated in the declaration “Youth to Save Sangihe as God’s Sacramentum”, read out at a press conference Friday (15\/9) regarding residents vs. PT Tambang Mas Sangihe (TMS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They made the declaration after attending a four-day workshop organized by Save Sangihe Island (SSI), an anti-mining civil society coalition. During the workshop, they gained various knowledge about the environment and had the opportunity to visit three villages in Sangihe that suffered environmental damage due to gold mining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We witness the massive impact of mining on social culture, economy, politics, and the environment,” said Presti Malangkaeba, one of the Sangihe youths who participated in the work studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malangkaeba said that Sangihe’s natural resources are abundant for its people to support their livelihood. However, the presence of gold mines is ruining all that.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sangihe youths read out the "Declaration of Youths to Save Sangihe as God's Sacrament" at a press conference on Friday (15\/9\/2023). <\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

According to the KontraS report<\/a>, gold miners have been excavating Sangihe since the mid-1980s. It was later discovered that the area contained indicated resources of 3.16 million tons with a gold content of 1.13 grams\/ton and silver content of 19.4 grams\/ton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gold mines started appearing — including illegal operators — and Sangihe’s nature and sustainability began its slow and steady descent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a land area of 736.98 km2, Sangihe is categorized as a small island and Law No. 1\/2014<\/a> on Management of Coastal Areas and Small Islands prohibits mineral mining activities in coastal areas and small islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On June 23, 2022, 37 Sangihe residents filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources regarding the IUP OP granted to TMS. This lawsuit was filed at the Jakarta Administrative Court. Their lawsuit was rejected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sangihe filed an appeal on August 29, 2022, to the Jakarta High Administrative Court. The high administrative judge overturned the Jakarta Administrative Court\u2019s decision and granted Sangihe residents\u2019 claims. The judge also issued an interlocutory decision to postpone the implementation of TMS\u2019 current IUP OP on Sangihe Island until the case verdict is legally binding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources and TMS retaliated by filing an appeal with the Supreme Court. Their appeal was rejected and the Jakarta High Administrative Court\u2019s decision stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are indications that TMS will reapply for an operating license to the energy ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sangihe’s youth hope that will not happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The forest has been damaged, and the marine ecosystem is also threatened,” said Malangkaeba. As a result, marine life<\/a> with a high selling value on the market have begun to decline in population. This affects the economy of residents who are mostly fishers and farmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“As young people, we feel called to protect and even fight for the safety of our beloved Sangihe,” said Malangkaeba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“If not us, who else?” she pleaded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The declaration contains eight statements<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n