Jayapura, Jubi – Solidarity of Tambrauw Regency Students in Jayapura rejects illegal mining in Kwor Village, Barar Village, and Orwen Village in Kwor District, Tambrauw Regency, Southwest Papua Province. The students held a press conference in Tambrauw Dormitory on Monday, March 20, 2023.
One of the students, Theo Esya, said illegal mining started to operate in early 2023. They operate not far from residents’ housing in the three villages.
“The illegal mine is managed by non-Papuans who come from Manokwari Regency. They mine at locations that are not far from residential areas,” he said.
Esya said the local government was ignorant of these illegal miners despite the local community having voiced rejection of illegal mining.
“Many parties, including the community, youth, intellectuals, have openly addressed this problem in the mass media. Local indigenous people urge the government and security forces to immediately stop illegal gold mining that disturbs residents in Kwor District,” he said.
Esya said illegal mining would have a negative impact on the local community. Moreover, the mining process is around settlements and near rivers, so it can be a serious threat to the sustainability of the environment as well as the local community.
“We students ask the local government and the West Papua Police to immediately come to Kwor to arrest illegal miners because they do not have permission from the local community to operate,” he said. (*)