The report, launched in May by the environment NGOs Waterkeeper Alliance and the Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM), examines the impacts of coal concessions on Indonesia’s rice production at a time when the country is already likely to suffer reduced yields due to climate change.
If mining proceeds in coal concessions that fall within areas identified as suitable for new rice production, an additional 11 million tons of rice per year would be lost, says the report.
“This is only rice, we have yet to report on other crops,” said Johansyah, who called for a moratorium on mining in agricultural land.
The impacts of mining Coal mining, the report contends, depletes and contaminates water resources, leaving previously cultivable land unsuitable for growing food.
Villagers living near coal mines reported having no option but to use mine pit water for washing, bathing, irrigation of crops and fish farming, and told researchers their rice yields were consequently reduced by 50 percent and fish production by 80 percent.
All but two were found to have concentrations of aluminum, iron, manganese and/or pH balances likely to have an impact on crop production and fish farming.
Budi Haryanto, an environmental health expert at the University of Indonesia, said the minerals tested for — iron, aluminum and manganese —are required by the human body, but can be harmful above certain levels.
“It turns out that there are no standards for heavy metals contamination in water used for agriculture, Johansyah said.
“There are regulations on water standards for agriculture but they do not give specific numbers.” Haryanto emphasized that the factors examined in the report represent just a small fraction of the health and environmental dangers coal can cause.
“They [mine pits] should be buried, not turned into housing or containing water or parks.” FEEDBACK: Use this form to send a message to the author of this post.