Deadly rockslide at limestone mine in Indonesia claimed lives of thirteen workers
Following the collapse of a mining site, the West Java provincial government has ordered a legal mine operator to cease operations due to insufficient safety measures. The incident occurred in Cirebon city, West Java, causing a portion of the site to crumble and bury workers and equipment around 09:30 am local time (0230 GMT).
As of now, 13 workers have been confirmed dead, with an estimated 5 to 6 individuals still trapped beneath the debris. The head of the local disaster agency, Deni Nurcahya, told AFP that the death toll may change as rescue efforts continue. The rescue team decided to halt operations on Saturday due to concerns of another rockfall.
At least 12 people were previously injured in the incident and transported to hospitals, according to the local police chief. The collapsed section of the mine was not the first incident of its kind; the site experienced a partial collapse in February, but there were no casualties reported.
The governing body announced its decision to permanently close the mining pit, not only the affected site but also others nearby, due to safety concerns. Mining accidents in unlicensed sites across Indonesia are prevalent, with many operators disregarding safety measures.
In 2023, at least eight workers died in an illegal gold mine in Central Java. Moreover, last year, a landslide near an illegal gold mine in Sulawesi claimed at least 23 lives and left 35 others missing. Despite efforts by the Indonesian government to curb illegal mining, it remains a persistent issue, largely due to poverty and mineral demand.
Despite the scarcity of detailed government statistics, mining accidents in unlicensed Indonesian sites are frequent, often causing fatalities and injuries. Causes include lack of safety regulations, poorly constructed mining infrastructure, use of hazardous materials, environmental hazards, and inadequate training and equipment. The pressure for quick financial gain contributes to rapid and unsafe extraction practices.
- The workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness of the mining industry in Indonesia have been under scrutiny following a series of accidents, with the latest being the collapse of a mine in West Java that resulted in the death of 13 workers and some still trapped.
- The general news outlets have been reporting on the increasing frequency of accidents in unlicensed mining sites in Indonesia, attributing these to factors such as lack of safety regulations, poorly constructed mining infrastructure, use of hazardous materials, environmental hazards, inadequate training, and equipment, as well as the pressure for quick financial gain, which promotes rapid and unsafe extraction practices.
