Gazing at the Mine in Gayo Highlands, Aceh - Indonesia

Failure of Land Reclamation

Despite regulations requiring mining companies to reclaim mined land, the results are often inadequate. In many cases, reclamation fails to restore ecosystems to their original state. A report from the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL) noted that only a small fraction of mined land has been successfully reclaimed, while the rest remains barren and unproductive (ICEL 2020).

What benefits can we possibly expect from the presence of mining in Gayo Lues? The region faces a future haunted by environmental damage and social problems. Historical evidence shows that mining areas rarely prosper, except for those who own the mines. A prime example is the LMR mine in Linge, where after securing an exploration permit, the company invited illegal miners to join in extracting resources, using dangerous chemicals in the process.