- Furthermore, gold mining also damages clean water sources.
- Protected forest areas, limited production forests, and customary land become gold mining sites.
3. Impact on Water Quality
- Illegal gold mining can exacerbate erosion and disrupt river water quality.
- Downstream areas are affected by destructive activities upstream, which can impact overall water quality.
For example, illegal gold mining activities in Jorong Tombang, Nagari Sinuruik, Talamau District, West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra, have damaged the river area.
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Meanwhile, traditional gold miners often face health risks due to their activities. Based on research, the following are some of the diseases commonly suffered by independent gold miners in river basins:
1. Tremors (Parkinson's disease)
2. Acute poisoning
3. Eye disease
4. Respiratory tract infections
5. Diarrhea
6. Vertigo
7. Miscarriage
8. Skin disease