Nickel waste revile Coast Seaweed Cultivation Kabaena

Kendari (Antara News) - Waste from mining nickel mining companies operating in the island Kabaena, Bombana regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province (Southeast Sulawesi), allegedly polluting the area of ​​seaweed cultivation of local residents.
"Since the company's nickel operations in Kabaena Island in 2007, almost the entire coastal region Kabaena, no longer suitable for seaweed cultivation because the area of ​​sewage sludge contaminated with nickel from the soil," said La Riyfu (47), head of Hamlet Sagori, Kabaena District, District Bombana by telephone from Sagori Saturday.

According to La Riyfu, before any mining nickel by PT Bily on the island, seaweed cultivation into a source of income of most citizens, especially those living in coastal areas.

At present, he said, residents can no longer develop seaweed cultivation caused by waste from the mining of nickel in the form of sludge that spilled in the area where citizens cultivate seaweed.

"In addition to causing pollution of coastal areas due to overflow of mud during the rainy season, the activity of nickel mining in Kabaena also has become a serious threat of drying up of a number of springs in the surrounding area of ​​the mine," he said.

A number of springs which have not been dry in any conditions of said La Riyfu, at present most water has been depleted, even just a few weeks of no rain, a number of springs has been drought.

"If the nickel mining activities on the island is allowed to continue, especially Kabaena Island residents who live in coastal areas in big trouble. Not only source of livelihood is covered in mud, but a number of springs which become vital needs of citizens, are also threatened with drought, "he said.

He Riyfu hope, the government and the parliament Sultra immediate control of mining activities that threaten the disruption of people's livelihoods.

For if the situation allowed to continue he said, residents in the surrounding area of ​​the mine will only bear the suffering and huge losses due to the impact of mining akiivitas it.

"We just hope that the various stakeholders, particularly local governments, eye-opening look at the appalling conditions," he said.

As pemenga he said government policy should seek the best solution to rescue citizens from various threats that difficulty.