The Barren Land Left by Mining
The mine in Talawi, Sawahlunto, not only caused the deaths of dozens of workers due to a methane explosion in a coal pit, but also damaged the mining area. The permeation of acid water from coal mounds is absorbed by soil and rice fields. Clouds of dust make breathing difficult. The local administration, as usual, is helpless in the face of illegal miners.
July 7, 2009
SIX women assembled under an orange plastic tent sheltering from the heat of the sun that noon. Some were sitting, gazing at looming clouds and smoking cigarettes. Others were lying down, enjoying the caressing breeze that carried dust. At noon early last week, the women, mostly over 50 years old, were taking a rest after gathering scattered bits of coal in the mining zone of Parambahan Talawi, Sawahlunto city, West Sumatra.
Beside the plastic t
...