Gold Mining

Gold panning is an activity that has been carried out by indigenous people for centuries. This activity is not only a source of livelihood, but also an important part of their traditions and culture. In this article, we will discuss the history of traditional gold panning and the methods used by indigenous people.

Gold has been a part of human civilization since ancient times. In the interior, gold is found in rivers or alluvial areas, where gold deposits are formed due to erosion and water flow over thousands of years. Indigenous people began to recognize the glitter of gold at the bottom of the river and considered it something valuable because of its beauty.

Initially, gold was often used for ritual purposes or as a status symbol in traditional societies. Gold is considered a sacred object that can bring good luck or protection. In some tribes, gold is part of the dowry or a symbol of family wealth.

When the colonialists arrived, they realized that indigenous people had access to large amounts of gold. Modern mining systems began to be introduced, but many indigenous peoples maintained their traditional way of gold panning, which was considered more environmentally friendly and in accordance with their traditions.

Traditional gold panning uses simple equipment and relies on human power. Here are the traditional methods or steps and techniques commonly used for gold panning:

1. Location Selection
   Inland communities usually choose rivers or tributaries as locations for gold panning. These rivers are rich in alluvial deposits, namely sand, gravel, and mud containing gold particles.

2. Material Collection
   Excavation is done manually using tools such as shovels, hoes, or bare hands. Material in the form of sand and small stones is collected from the riverbed or its banks.

3. Initial Screening
   The collected material is screened to separate large stones and gravel that do not contain gold. The tools used are bamboo mats or simple sieves.

4. Sieving in Water
   The sieving process is carried out in the river flow using a large pan or tray made of wood or metal. The material is put into the tray and shaken in the water. This technique takes advantage of the higher specific gravity of gold compared to other materials so that the gold will settle at the bottom of the tray.

5. Gold Refining
   After the gold particles are separated, the refining process is carried out. Typically, gold is washed again to remove any remaining dirt or other particles. Some traditional societies use mercury to bind the gold, although this method poses health and environmental risks.

Inland communities use simple tools, mostly made from natural materials or local metals:

• Dulang: The main tool used to sift material. Traditional dulang are usually made of wood, bamboo, or metals such as copper.
• Sieves: Woven bamboo or wire used to separate coarse material from sand.
• Shovels and Hoes: Tools for digging material from riverbeds.
• Traditional Carpets: Some communities use simple carpets to trap fine gold as water flows over it.

Here are the Benefits of Traditional Gold Panning:

• Economic Income
  For inland communities, gold is the main source of income. The results of gold panning can be sold or exchanged for basic necessities.

• Preserving Tradition
  Gold panning is an activity that has been passed down from generation to generation, thus helping to preserve local traditions and wisdom.

• Minimal Technology
  Traditional methods tend to be environmentally friendly because they do not use heavy equipment or large amounts of chemicals.

Here are the Challenges of Traditional Gold Panning:

• Limited Results
  Traditional methods produce small amounts of gold, making them less efficient than modern methods.

• Health Impacts
  The use of mercury, although traditional, can be harmful to the health of miners and pollute the environment.

• Ecosystem Damage
  Although not as intensive as modern mining, gold panning activities can disrupt river ecosystems if carried out without supervision.

Inland communities often combine gold panning activities with local traditional rituals or beliefs. Before panning, they may perform a ceremony or prayer to ask permission from the guardian spirits of nature. In addition, there is a strong sense of togetherness in this activity, where people work together and share the results.

Although traditional methods are still widely practiced, inland communities face major challenges from modern gold mining. Large companies with heavy equipment and sophisticated technology often take over traditional mining areas. This not only reduces local people's access to resources, but also damages the environment and disrupts the social balance in the area.

In addition, many young people in the interior are starting to abandon this traditional method. They prefer other jobs in urban areas, so the tradition of gold panning is starting to be threatened with extinction.

To keep the gold panning tradition alive, several steps can be taken:

• Education and Training
  Teaching gold panning techniques to the younger generation while introducing safer and more environmentally friendly methods.

• Recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
  Providing legal recognition and protection for traditional mining areas of indigenous peoples.

• Development of Cultural Tourism
  Turning gold panning into a cultural tourism attraction can be a way to preserve traditions while increasing community incomes.

Traditional gold panning is a reflection of local wisdom and the struggles of indigenous peoples’ lives. Although this method faces major challenges from modern technology and resource exploitation, this tradition remains a valuable heritage that needs to be preserved. With a combination of preserving traditions and introducing safe technology, indigenous peoples can continue to carry out this activity without damaging the environment or losing their cultural identity.

Mining gold without a permit is an illegal activity and has many negative impacts, both on the environment, society, and the country's economy. Although this activity is carried out by various community groups, including rural communities, this activity is still illegal and has the potential to have significant negative impacts on the environment, society, and economy. Therefore, integrated efforts are needed from various parties to overcome this problem. A balanced solution between law enforcement, community empowerment, and environmental conservation is the key to reducing illegal gold mining activities while ensuring sustainable resource management.

Here are some explanations regarding the illegality and impacts of illegal gold mining activities:

1. Does Not Have an Official Permit
   Gold mining activities require a permit issued by the government to ensure that the activity is carried out in accordance with applicable regulations. Illegal gold mining does not have this permit and is therefore considered illegal.

2. Harms the State
   Gold that is mined illegally does not go through official channels, so the state loses potential income in the form of taxes or royalties from mining results.

3. Environmental Damage
   Illegal gold mining is often carried out without regard to environmental impacts. The use of hazardous chemicals such as mercury or cyanide, as well as practices such as deforestation or excavation without proper engineering, can cause extensive damage to the ecosystem.

4. Potential Conflict
   These activities often cause conflict between illegal miners and official companies that have rights to the area. In addition, conflicts can also occur with local communities who feel disturbed by illegal gold mining activities.

The government needs to increase supervision and law enforcement against illegal gold mining activities. This includes imposing strict sanctions on perpetrators and parties involved. The community also needs to be educated about the dangers and negative impacts of illegal gold mining, both in terms of the environment and health. Many illegal gold miners come from low-income communities. The government and related parties can provide more sustainable alternative livelihoods. Areas that have been damaged by illegal gold mining need to be rehabilitated so that the ecosystem can recover. This requires collaboration between the government, the community, and related companies. As a solution, several regions have given permits to small-scale miners through the community mining mechanism. This allows them to mine legally while still preserving the environment.