Killing the River: How Indominco Mandiri Coal Mining Leaves a Deadly Legacy and Poisons Water of Palakan-Santan Rivers in East Kalimantan
PT Indominco Mandiri is one of the largest coal mining companies that has received a Coal Mining Concession Contract of Work (PKP2B) since November 11, 1998. Indominco’s mining concession area is 24,121 hectares, spread over Kutai Kartanegara Regency, Bontang City, and East Kutai Regency.
More than two decades of operation, PT Indominco is suspected of having polluted the waters of the Palakan and Santan rivers, leaving giant mining pits that have not been reclaimed.
The allegation of pollution was strengthened when JATAM Kaltim conducted inspections, sampling and testing the water quality of the Palakan River which empties into the Santan River, including interviewing local residents who experienced the direct impacts of the Indominco mine.
The result is that the Palakan and Santan rivers have been contaminated with heavy metals and have high acidity levels, exceeding the quality standards set by the government through rules and laws.
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