Lain lagi kisah Jumadil, pria hampir paruh baya yang tinggal di Dusun Sambik Rindang, di bagian hilir Desa Salut. Dusun ini lahannya relatif rata sehingga cocok untuk persawahan. Jumadil merasa musim hujan yang lebih panjang dari biasanya menjadi berkah baginya dan teman-temannya sesama petani padi. Dalam dua tahun terakhir panen di lahannya semakin membaik akibat lancarnya pasokan air. Padahal, dulunya dusun ini selalu kekurangan air sehingga hasil panen dari sawah-sawah tadah hujan selalu kurang.

Demikianlah dua cerita bertolak belakang dari dua petani di desa yang sama akibat perubahan cuaca yang mencolok dalam 2 tahun terakhir. Pada satu sisi, musim hujan berkepanjangan menyebabkan kerugian bagi petani lahan kering (kebun). Curah hujan berlebih meningkatkan kelembaban udara sehingga mendukung perkembangbiakan jamur.[3] Salah satunya yang menginfeksi buah-buah kakao dan menyebabkan penyakit busuk buah. Namun bagi petani sawah, pasokan air yang melimpah sepanjang tahun membuat padi tumbuh subur, panen pun lebih berbobot dari sebelumnya.

Cerita dari Desa Salut ini menyampaikan pesan bahwa cuaca dan musim telah berubah. Menurut warga Salut, memang ada kecenderungan meningkatnya curah hujan pada akhir dasawarsa 2000.[4] Beberapa tanaman perkebunan (buah) seperti Mangga sulit berbuah karena bunganya selalu rontok terkena hujan deras. Perubahan cuaca di Salut ini sesuai dengan prediksi Anomali Cuaca di Indonesia untuk periode 2009-2010. Sejak paruh kedua 2009 hingga paruh pertama 2010 di NTB terjadi kemarau panjang. Dimana-mana terjadi kekeringan dan gagal panen. Lalu pada sekitar paruh kedua 2010 cuaca berbalik yang ditandai dengan curah hujan yang meningkat tajam. Ini juga dapat berdampak tidak baik bagi pertanian, baik tanaman padi maupun tanaman yang tidak membutuhkan banyak air seperti tembakau.

Berubahnya cuaca diyakini telah terjadi baik oleh pakar cuaca maupun petani. Mereka sama-sama memiliki bukti akan hal ini. Dalam pertanian, naik turunnya suhu dan kelembaban udara, juga curah hujan berimplikasi sangat nyata bagi pertumbuhan tanaman dan habitat tumbuhnya. Dalam jangka panjang, perubahan iklim dapat mengakibatkan perubahan yang lebih nyata dan sifatnya menetap. Keberhasilan usaha tani di tengah iklim yang sedang berubah sangat ditentukan oleh penyesuaian yang dilakukan terhadap perubahan cuaca dan pengaruh-pengaruhnya pada agro-ekosistem. Upaya semacam ini dikenal sebagai Adaptasi terhadap Perubahan Iklim.

Uniknya, cuaca ekstrem di Salut berdampak tidak sama terhadap lahan dan komoditi yang beda. Dampak perubahan cuaca bagi lahan perkebunan dan persawahan beda, bahkan bertolak belakang. Keunikan yang kedua, ketika sebagian besar pulau Lombok mengalami kekeringan sepanjang 2009-2010, Desa Salut justru berlimpah hujan. Saat dimana-mana terjadi gagal panen akibat kekeringan, Salut justru merayakan panen padi. Cuaca ekstrem punya dua sisi yang bertolak belakang.

Pada skala yang lebih besar perubahan iklim juga berdampak dua sisi. Konon diramalkan bahwa pertanian di wilayah Asia akan menurun akibat naiknya suhu udara rata-rata dunia. Akan tetapi, Rusia justru diuntungkan karena banyak wilayah negaranya yang tadinya terlalu dingin menjadi bisa ditanami.

Apapun dampak perubahan iklim terhadap pilihan dan tempat hidup kita, penting disadari sejak mula. Ini agar kita mampu memperhitungkan risiko dan mengurangi kerugian. Sebuah penelitian tentang dampak perubahan iklim pada sektor pertanian di Pulau Lombok menyimpulkan kecamatan Kayangan sebagai salah satu wilayah yang berisiko gagal tanam dan gagal panen akibat perubahan iklim.[5] Karena itu, upaya adaptasi sebaiknya segera digagas dan mulai dijalankan sebelum terlambat.***

Mataram, 8 Maret 2011, 23:11 WITA

Siapa menebang pohon akan memanen bencana

Ungkapan itu menggambarkan bencana tidak datang dengan sendirinya, melainkan ada penyebab yang memicunya. Di pulau Lombok, bencana alam yang paling menyebabkan kerugian dalam sepuluh tahun terakhir adalah banjir dan tanah longsor (gerakan tanah). Pada Januari 2006, banjir bandang menerjang Desa Belanting di Kabupaten Lombok Timur(Lotim). Ratusan rumah hancur dan sebanyak 3.500 orang diungsikan.[1] Banjir bandang datang dari arah kaki gunung Rinjani. Sementara itu, banjir besar di awal 2009 giliran melanda Desa Sajang dan Sembalun Bumbung, kecamatan Sembalun, Lotim.

Di Kabupaten Lombok Utara (KLU), banjir besar terjadi di Desa Bentek dan Jenggala. Besarnya volume air mampu menjebol dinding dam irigasi di Jenggala. Banjir bandang menghanyutkan rumah, jembatan serta ternak, menggagalkan panen serta merusak jalan-jalan aspal di desa Bentek dan Jenggala pada tahun 2009.

… akibat hutan gundul

Kabupaten Lombok Timur berada pada 2 wilayah DAS yaitu DAS Putih dan DAS Menanga dengan luas 160.555 Ha dan mencakup wilayah 20 Kecamatan. Lahan kritis di kawasan ini mencapai luas 16.087 Ha. Deforestasi akibat penebangan hutan dan degradasi lahan karena sistem pertanian yang tidak ramah lingkungan berkontribusi pada terjadinya banjir bandang.

Makmurudin, warga Desa Pemenang Timur, KLU, menyatakan banjir bukan hanya dipicu penebangan liar tetapi juga pembukaan ladang oleh warga desa. Dalam beberapa tahun terakhir, warga desa mulai membuka ladang di areal bekas HPH dan hutan di sekitarnya. Mereka menanam pisang, coklat dan kopi. Alasan ekonomi menjadi pembenar aktivitas yang tidak sepenuhnya benar ini.

… kami tidak waspada

R. Mardi dari Desa Jenggala, KLU, mengaku tidak menyangka banjir tahun 2009 akan sebesar itu. Biasanya di wilayah kecamatan Kayangan dan Tanjung memang terjadi banjir pada musim hujan. Namun banjir 2009 ternyata jauh dari perkiraan warga sehingga banyak wilayah yang sebelumnya aman juga ikut terendam. Di Desa Sajang, Lombok Timur, meskipun umumnya warga telah memprediksi datangnya banjir tahunan, ada 2 warga yang menjadi korban.

… setelah hujan terus menerus

Menurut Sukmawati dari Sajang, banjir terjadi akhir-akhir ini saja dan disebabkan oleh hujan yang turun terus menerus selama 7 hari 7 malam. Ini biasanya terjadi pada puncak musim penghujan antara bulan Januari hingga Februari tiap tahunnya. Di awal 2009, beberapa wilayah di pulau Lombok juga diterjang banjir dan tanah longsor setelah turun hujan lebat sepanjang tanggal 9 dan 10 Januari 2009.

… lingkungan kami berubah

Dahulu hujan besar tidak menyebabkan banjir. Sekarang terjadi banjir di Sajang karena saluran air banyak yang tersumbat. Menurut penuturan Kaur Umum Desa Sajang, banjir terjadi sejak ada pembangunan green house PT Agrindo seluas 200 hektar. Ini mengakibatkan berkurangnya daerah resapan air. Sementara untuk mengairi lahan seluas itu perusahaan menutup dan mengalihkan aliran beberapa anak sungai ke dalam kolam buatan seluas 15 hektar. Pada kejadian tahun 2009, beberapa anak sungai yang ditutup meluap dan membanjiri wilayah Sembalun Bumbung dan Sajang. Perubahan lingkungan ini menyebabkan meluapnya air dari sungai.

Tahun ini, hujan justru tak turun-turun. Kemarau tahun lalu masih berlanjut. Padahal warga Sajang sudah bersiap siaga menyimpan cadangan pangan dan kayu bakar untuk menghadapi musim hujan. Warga juga belum berani memulai tanam padi sebelum hujan 7 hari 7 malam itu lewat. Jika sampai dihantam hujan berkepanjangan benih yang ditanam bisa mati dan petani rugi besar.

Medo, warga Desa Pemenang Barat, KLU, mengeluhkan datangnya hujan dan banjir sekarang susah diramal. Orang-orang tua yang pintar menghitung dan membaca musim sudah tidak sanggup meramalnya. Musim dan cuaca sudah berubah, datangnya banjir dan hujan tak bisa diperkirakan seperti dulu. Pola tanam sering menjadi tidak sesuai dengan musim. Tahun ini, banyak kejadian benih mati di tanah dan tanaman gagal berisi karena hujan tak jadi turun.

… kehendak alam

Umumnya masyarakat di Lombok Utara dan Timur memandang banjir dan longsor sebagai buah dari perilaku manusia yang tidak ramah terhadap alam. Kartono, staf Dinas Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata, KLU, berpendapat bencana alam akan terus terjadi selama model pembangunan dilakukan dengan merusak alam. Hanya gempa bumi yang manusia tidak bisa mengelak maupun memprediksinya. Ini murni merupakan kehendak alam yang masih jadi misteri.

Sukmawati berpendapat bahwa Gunung Api adalah sumber bahaya yang lepas dari pengaruh perbuatan manusia. Warga di sana mengaku pasrah dengan adanya aktivitas Gunung Baru Jari yang aktif dari tahun lalu. Letusan Gunung Rinjani pada masa lalu sempat menimbulkan korban jiwa dan merusak tanaman pertanian.

… kami bantu

Pada peristiwa banjir bandang di Desa Bentek, dinas kesehatan kabupaten yang baru berusia setahun ini mendirikan posko bantuan selama 2 minggu. Selama periode darurat itu berbagai keperluan pengungsi dipenuhi oleh pemerintah. Di Desa Gumantar, pemerintah desa menyalurkan dana ADD untuk perbaikan jalan.

Husni, dari PMI menerangkan bahwa di KLU banyak sekali wilayah yang tergolong rawan bencana. Tidak hanya banjir dan longsor tapi juga kebakaran dan kekeringan. Namun, respon dari Pemda dan masyarakat masih sebatas pemberian bantuan. Menurutnya, selain kegiatan tanggap darurat mesti ada juga pengenalan terhadap risiko-risiko yang ada.

Sebuah lembaga yang beraktivitas di KLU menjanjikan kepada masyarakat sekitar Bentek dan Jenggala sebuah jembatan evakuasi. Dijanjikan pula bahwa Pemprov NTB akan menyiapkan mobil dapur umum. Tapi sampai saat ini kedua hal itu baru sebatas janji.

… maaf, belum kami anggarkan

Kepala Bappeda Lombok Utara dalam ekspose program di Kantor Bappeda (17/3) menyatakan prioritas KLU saat ini adalah pengadaan infrastruktur dan pemutakhiran data setelah setahun berpisah dari Kabupaten Lombok Barat. Untuk penanggulangan bencana belum menjadi prioritas anggaran mereka.

Meski demikian Pemkab bukannya tidak memberi perhatian soal kebencanaan. Seperti dinyatakan Komang Rata, saat ini KLU telah membentuk Satgas Reaksi Cepat untuk merespon kejadian bencana. Menurut pegawai kantor Kesbangpolinmas ini, tim sedang menunggu keluarnya SK Bupati.***

Donggala is one of the most vulnerable district in Central Sulawesi.  Situated on the tip of a triangle, it is frequently exposed to all kinds of natural hazards: earthquake, tsunami, flood and landslide.

Like in many places of Indonesia, people tend to link natural hazards with God’s fate or curse to mankind for their wrongdoing.  Lack of understanding also leads to wrong practices.

After the massive destruction of Tsunami in North Sumatra in 2004, people in Donggala associate earthquake with tsunami.  Since then, the villagers run to higher ground whenever there is an earthquake, leaving their home behind to save their lives.  Some local thugs have made use of this situation by stealing items from these vacant houses.

To governments and communities, responding to emergencies is common but disaster management is a different story.

“We used to respond to disasters only during emergency events and never take mitigation measures prior to it,” Mr. Madjid, the Head of Kesbanglinmas office of Donggala district said.

Oxfam’s “Strengthening the Capacity of Government and Communities in Disaster Risk Reduction project*” in partnership with Jambata Foundation started in Donggala district in 2008 to build awareness and practice on disaster risk reduction at community level.

Myth buster

“It is important to demystify disasters because it can be scientifically explained,” Robert Owen Wahyu, the Head of District Geophysical Station (BMKG) of Palu emphasises.

Short Messages (SMS) containing information about earthquakes are sent as soon as two minutes following each earthquake with more than 5 Richter scale by The BMG central office in Jakarta. The information includes the scale, exact location, and tsunami potential of each earthquake.

The SMS service is provided throughout the country.  The district office forwards SMS from BMKG central office to key stakeholder and communities in vulnerable areas. with the station used to get sponsorship from a Singapore-based telecommunications company.  Although the sponsorship was ended recently due to the global financial crisis, they’re currently seeking for new sponsors.

Building capacity

Oxfam and Jambata trained community representatives as Village Preparedness Team (VPT).  They learned about the nature of each hazards and how to respond to them properly. Participatory risk assessment is conducted at community level by Jambata staffs, together with local community organisers, and VPT.  Community action plans (CAP) are then developed based on the assessment to reduce vulnerability.

This complete cycle of risk reduction measure serves as good example to the locals how to address disaster by knowing the risk (hazard, vulnerability), and taking proper measure based on analysis.

Bridging the gap

Take Towale village for example.  This coastal village has been repeatedly hit by seasonal high tide and flood.  During times of hazard, daily activities like going to schools or going to the markets have to stop temporarily because the transportation routes are disrupted.  Students and teachers have to wait for at least three to four hours before the water level is low enough for them to continue walking to school.  This could happen for five to six days each season, once to three times a year.

Using CAP process, the community identified the community action plan as building semi permanent bridge connecting two sides of the village will allow schools, markets, and other activites to continue without disruption.  The plan was chosen to be implemented with financial support from Disaster Reduction Fund (DRF), provided by Oxfam’s project.  Now that the bridge was built, the communities’ economy is not as fragile as it was in the past.  This is one of the best learning of this project–addressing the right priority of vulnerability can lead us to a valuable outcome.

Planting seeds of awareness and practice

Education sector plays significant role in growing seeds of awareness and practices. It was first started with training elementary school teachers how to deal with emergency situation caused by natural hazards.  The focus is finding the right media to familiarise students with natural hazards and teach them what to do when it happens. Training for teachers has proven to be the right priority since we found that they easily transfer the practices to students.   A daily familiarisation of earthquake rescue and evacuation for students has been organised and the first school evacuation drill will be organised in August.

A holistic approach

Jambata and Oxfam introduced a more holistic paradigm of disaster management to the members of Disaster Response Task Force (Satlak PB) of Donggala through series of trainings organized by It is expected the paradigm shift will then lead to policy shift in managing disaster risk.

Currently, the draft Contingency Plan for Donggala is being finalized by a government working group. They plan to lobby the District Chief (Bupati) to formalize the draft afterwards.  District Action Plan (RAD) on Disaster Risk Reduction will also be revised.

The project is now on its second and final year.  So far, people of Donggala learned to rely on information from BMKG before taking any measures.  The project has successfully changed the way people see natural hazards.  The provincial government realised the importance of disaster risk reduction as the Head of Regional Development Planning Body (BAPPEDA) Donggala committed to continue government’s support and to make disaster reduction a priority.

Background, Objective and Method

The development of mining industry in the world is in the fast growing pace as mineral commodity continue to gain good price and high demand continue to come from the fast growing new economic centers like China and India. The two factors contributed to expansion of mining industries into areas not yet entitled to any concession. This has also brought resurgence of existing concessions that are not yet developed due to uneconomic price and financial institutions’ reluctance to finance projects that would yield only small revenues.

Laos has been regarded as one of the most attractive investment destinations for extractive industry in South East Asia, particularly in the Mekong Subregion. The country with total land area of 230,800 square kilometers indeed has great potential for the development of extractive industry such as mining, energy, and industrial plantation. It is seen not only by Lao government itself but also the neighboring countries in the region such as Vietnam, China, and Thailand who already become centers of industrial growth in Indochina region. This is indicated by the intensive investment and trade deal involving Lao and those countries in the extractive sector.

While development of extractive industries is often deemed as a shortcut to generate quick revenue required for financing the country’s development, it is also seen as type of industry that brings social and environmental consequences. The revenue gained from mineral excavation has been made at the cost of the environment and population affected by mining projects. On behalf of development the environmental and social impacts of mining are often overlooked while there’s a growing number of facts show mining companies’ continued reluctance to restore its impacts to environment and people. The degradation of environment, loss of natural resources and biodiversity, and falling down of local economy later become burden of local government and local population.

However, this sector continues to receive support from international organization such as the World Bank. This most powerful development financing institution continued to bolster industrial development throughout the region via establishment of Mekong Subregion Economic cooperation. The initiative later adopted by each country in region to be multilateral agreement brings consequences to their national economic policy such as opening of natural resources sector for private investment. There will be significant increase in the number of investment in extractive sector with the potential spread of social and environmental problems throughout the country. A very deep and wise analysis re development policy and risk mitigation is called for prior to development of mining projects. Otherwise, Laos will just to replay the old cassette of poverty and environmental devastation left by extractive industries in Asia and South America.

The policy research entitled “ Environmental and social security framework of mining sector in Lao PDR “ will be conducted with objective to study the policy that drives the development of mining sector in Lao PDR and the social and environmental security provided by the country’s legal framework. The study will be conducted by doing analysis on a number of policy and legal documents related to development of country’s mining sector. The object of this study is therefore as follows;

1. Policy of Lao PDR government,

2. Multilateral agreements,

3. International organizations policy on Lao PDR,

4. The country’s laws and decree related to mining sector e.g. Mining Law and Environmental Protection Law

This study will also be accompanied with case study on the status of population and environment around selected mining site. Field observation will be conducted to collect information with particular source local population. The output of this study will be analysis on the adequacy of the social and environmental security provided by the country’s legal framework with some recommendations for improvement.

Vientiane, August 2007

Author

(This study report is currently under review by the Science Technology and Environment Agency of Lao PDR and is therefore unable to made public yet)

Vang Vieng (pronounced “wang wiang”) is one of the most tourist-attracting spot in Lao PDR. As the other major recreational places in Lao, Vang Vieng shares the beauty of big river and valley. This plateau has been well-known among travelers and backpackers for quite reasons.

Nature

Firstly, Vang Vieng is of course naturally enchanting. This plain was formed by the River (Nam) Song valley and limestone formation that goes along the valley. This combination has become natural attraction that enables tourism developer to arrange several adventure packages like trekking, biking, caving, tubing, kayaking, and rock climbing. Those who love adventure sport can spend days here trying the different sort of excitement.

However, the more adrenalin taking attraction is river jumping. The latter isn’t subject to neither certain package nor payment. You just have to queue among the others getting curious about and standing in line at the jumping pad. This bungee jumping like is most tried by those spending time at the bank of Nam Song after doing rock climbing or tubing.

Location

Secondly, Vang Vieng is located between the capital city Vientiane and the old kingdom and World Heritage Site Luang Phabang. As if Bali for Indonesia, Luang Phabang even better known than Laos itself. Tourists coming from Europe (mainly France) always take Luang Phabang as first destination. They usually then take road trip to Vang Vieng before visiting the modern Laos capital Vientiane and further go south to witness the charm and wilderness of southern waterfalls. Vang Vieng also represent as hub for two major tourism areas in Laos, the North which characterized by mountainous area with many curves on its road (some remote areas even hardly accessible) and highland communities, and the South with relatively flat landscape, more accessible road and river with islands.

Visiting Season

Vang Vieng is never really in low season for tourism. During the said low season between April and October this town still host hundreds of western (European, Australian, US) backpackers and Asian (Japan, Thai, China) visitors. Sometimes, one must struggle to get the cheap and favorite guest house here. Otherwise, you would have to take the ones available. However, for the best choice to outdoor activity, make sure that you don’t visit during the really rainy days between July and September.

Food

Food is never been problem in Vang Vieng. Western and Asian food are all available at local restaurants. Local and famous food/dessert is pancake with variety of flavor, from banana to cheese and durian.

Accommodation

As the food accommodation is convenient too in Vang Vieng. There are a lot of Guest Houses to suit different choices, from budget to mid end. The travel guide books are accompanied with detailed information re this. In Vang Vieng you won’t get trouble with accommodation just because you keep the out of date travel guide book.

Attraction

The notorious though mocked activity in Vang Vieng is watching movie at bar and restaurants that always play Bean, Friends, and Simpson episodes. It is not something I personally recommend but you will apparently always encounter there. There are many outdoor activities suit local nature. You can try rock climbing at nearest limestone along side Nam Song. The local ecotourism provider sells package with experienced guide. But if you want to reduce expense you can just rent the equipment for lower price. The charge for a climbing package is USD 20 per person with at least 4 people in one package.

The tubing and kayaking can also easily be arranged at local ecotourism provider. The most well known one is green discovery.

Biking and trekking to countryside is another interesting attraction. While the town of Vang Vieng is so full with western facility and lifestyle the countryside retain the modest agriculture-based lifestyle. The roads are normally not asphalted and there are buffaloes crossing and walking on it. Locals live in traditional raised platform wooden house.

The tourism-based economy in Vang Vieng seems to be the sustainable economy of the town and its surrounding countryside. However, another resources extractive activity may present as threat to its sustainability. It is the development of cement factory in Vang Vieng.

Nowadays, two cement factories are already in production phase in Vang Vieng and are owned jointly by Lao Government and Chinese investor. The raw material needed for cement factory is limestone. Limestone is remarkable as source of huge water resources that will ensure water supply for agriculture and any economic activities to run smoothly.

It is expected that if the government continues to run the project to the remaining hills the beautiful panorama of limestone domes will be flattened by excavator. If that is to happen then there will be no more tourism and the livelihood of hundreds families depending their life on guesthouses, food shops, and guiding will be put into end. We can expect that in the next 10 to 20 years there will be massive exodus of people leaving the previously lucrative Vang Vieng for seeking job in other regions.

Reported from VV trip, 11-13 July 2007

Pada 26 Desember 2004 lalu Samudera Hindia dilanda gempa dahsyat yang mengakibatkan tsunami dan menelan korban ratusan ribu jiwa di Aceh, belum termasuk di negara-negara lainnya. Paska peristiwa dahsyat itu, banyak ahli menyerukan pentingnya memasukkan manajemen bencana dalam perencanaan pembangunan. Tujuannya, agar jika terjadi gejala alam luar biasa seperti tsunami atau gempa bumi kerugian jiwa, harta dan infrastruktur dapat diminimalkan. Manajemen bencana tidak sama dengan menghilangkan sama sekali kemungkinan terjadinya bencana. Manajemen bencana memungkinkan kita menghindari lebih banyak kerugian dengan cara mengurangi kerentanan kita terhadap bencana.
Investasi Tambang di Pantai Barat Sumatera

Ketika para pakar bencana sibuk mengumpulkan data dan menyimpulkan tingkat kerawanan pantai barat Sumatera akan ancaman tsunami dan gempa volkanik, pulau ini juga tengah mengandung resiko bencana akibat kegiatan industri, yakni pertambangan. Saat investasi tambang berbondong-bondong memasuki pulau Sumatera, tidak banyak perhatian diberikan walaupun resiko lingkungan dan sosial sektor ini telah dikenal lama sejak sebelum tsunami. Biasanya, kita baru sadar setelah terjadi dampak, saat gambar-gambar korban ditayangkan di televisi.

Bersamaan hiruk-pikuk pembangunan kembali Aceh, di barisan yang lain derap investasi tambang di belahan barat Pulau Sumatera juga melaju kencang. Ini ditandai oleh banyaknya kuasa pertambangan baru yang dikeluarkan. Begitu pun konsesi-konsesi lama seperti Martabe (Oxiana Resources), Meluak dan Anjing Hitam (Herald Resources), serta Pungkut (Oropa Mining) juga bergairah menambah investasinya untuk melaju ke konstruksi dan produksi sejak pasar mineral dunia tumbuh pesat dua tahun terakhir.

Di Sumatera Barat, lima dari sekian KP baru dimiliki oleh junior miner yang baru memulai debutnya di Australia Stock Exchange (ASX) tahun lalu yaitu Coziron Resources. Ia mendapatkan KP ekpslorasi pasir besi di Rawang Gadang dan Kunyit, timbal dan seng di Lubuk Gadang, batubara di Inderapura, serta emas-tembaga di Singkarak. Hampir semuanya di sekitar Padang dan Solok. KADIN propinsi Sumatera Barat menyebutkan perusahaan Cina juga telah mendapatkan Surat Ijin Penambangan Daerah (SIPD) untuk pasir besi seluas 100 ha di Solok.

Junior miner lain yang kini mengkapling provinsi tapak tsunami adalah East Asia Mineral dari Vancouver (Kanada). Perusahaan ini memiliki sejumlah KP di provinsi NAD meliputi KP Takengon, Miwah, Barisan 1 dan 2, dan Tangse di wilayah tengah hingga pantai Barat Aceh. Bersamaan derap rekonstruksi Aceh, proyek-proyek tersebut tanpa perhatian banyak lembaga masyarakat sipil giat mengeksplorasi emas, perak dan tembaga.

Tidak hanya di Sumut, Sumbar, dan Aceh tapi juga Lampung dan Jambi. Proyek-proyek baru di jalur volkanik Sumatera singgah di dua propinsi ini. Finders Resources, junior miner lain dari Kanada mengeksplorasi kawasan yang dinamai Ojolali (Lampung) serta satu KP di Jambi. KP Ojolali meliputi wilayah seluas 3450 hektar.

Di lampung sebenarnya tidak hanya KP Ojolali, tetapi juga konsesi setingkat Kontrak Karya milik Mekhatarra Mining di Way Linggo, serta KP milik Apollo Gold bernama Napal Gold project.

Hingga kini, paradigma mengelola resiko di sektor pertambangan masih tertinggal jauh. Ini ditunjukkan oleh kerapnya terjadi dampak lingkungan dan social di seputar industri pertambangan. Longsornya timbunan batuan limbah atau terowongan, pecahnya pipa tailing, atau tumpah maupun ditumpahkannya merkuri ke badan air atau ke udara sudah jamak terjadi. Pertambangan juga memiliki resiko sosial-ekonomi yang sering tidak ditangani, seperti hilangnya mata pencaharian warga setempat, jatuh miskinnya mereka ketika lahan pertaniannya diserobot, sumber air bersihnya dikotori hingga harus mencari sumber air yang jauh dari kampungnya.

Pertanyaan penting untuk diajukan; akan seperti apa tambang-tambang baru itu dikelola? Tanpa perubahan drastis di sektor ini serta tanpa pengawasan ketat untuk penaatan regulasi lingkungan oleh korporasi, korban-korban baru akan berjatuhan. Mulai dari korban penggusuran, pencemaran, kehilangan mata pencaharian hingga kekerasan.

Tipuan klasik pertumbuhan dan laba

Ketika masyarakat dan lingkungan terus-menerus menjadi korban maka ini menyiratkan minim dan sempitnya pemaknaan manajemen dalam industri pertambangan. Ini disebabkan perusahaan menempatkan soal-soal lingkungan dan sosial sebagai eksternalitas. Efisiensi hanya dinilai dari besarnya laba dan rendahnya biaya, bukan dari kemampuan mengelola dengan baik semua resiko yang ditimbulkan. Itulah ironi perekonomian kita ini hari. Meskipun perusahaan melakukan perusakan lingkungan besar-besaran, selama masih mampu membayar dividen kepada pemegang saham dan bunga bank, ia tetap mendapat nilai positif dari pasar.

Manipulasi atas pemaknaan efisiensi melegitimasi pasar menuntut dihilangkannya insentif-insentif bagi publik dan lingkungan serta menggantikannya dengan keleluasaan makin besar kepada perusahaan. Ini dapat dilihat dari inisiatif perusahaan-perusahaan pertambangan untuk mengamandemen Undang-undang Kehutanan agar boleh melakukan penambangan terbuka di hutan lindung, mengeluarkan limbah tambang (tailing) dari kategori bahan berbahaya dan beracun (B3), serta diberlakukannya pembuangan tailing ke laut. Jika semua tuntutan tersebut dipenuhi maka perusahaan akan semakin leluasa menghancurkan sisa-sisa hutan yang ada dan membuang limbah ke badan-badan air.

Ilusi ini terus-menerus dipupuk dalam praktek ekonomi yang salah mendefiniskan pertumbuhan. Mestinya bukan pertumbuhan jika ia menghancurkan pondasinya sendiri, yaitu alam. Bukan pertumbuhan yang utuh jika hanya terjadi di akumulasi kapital perusahaan tambang, bank-bank kreditor, serta industri-industri jasa kontraktor, konsultan, dan suplier. Sementara di sisi lainnya terjadi kemusnahan sumber daya, penurunan keragaman spesies, meningkatnya pengangguran dan kemiskinan. Pertumbuhan memang terjadi tapi hanya di negara-negara maju, di negara-negara sumber bahan mentah kehancuran lah yang ada.

Ring of Fire

Selain resiko-resiko intrinsik yang sudah melekat dengan karakter industri tambang, ada resiko yang datangnya dari luar. Semua proyek tambang lama dan baru di atas berada di kawasan yang oleh para geolog dinamai Sumateran Fault Zone, wilayah pegunungan vulkanik yang kaya cadangan mineral terbentang dari ujung utara hingga selatan Pulau Sumatera. Meskipun kaya cadangan mineral namun kawasan yang juga jalur pegunungan berapi “ring of fire” ini rawan gempa dan letusan gunung. Karenanya, akan muncul kerentanan yang tinggi bila dilakukan operasi pertambangan raksasa.

Kita jelas tidak berharap datangnya lagi tsunami dan gempa dahsyat seperti di Pangandaran, Aceh, Jogjakarta, Padang, lalu Solok. Tapi para penentu kebijakan mesti sadar bahwa ribuan orang di pulau Sumatera hidup di kawasan yang rawan terjadi bencana. Sudah semestinya tindakan yang diambil adalah untuk serta merta mengurangi derajat kerusakan jika terjadi bencana berikutnya. Termasuk di dalamnya, bagaimana cara membangun dan berinvestasi yang tidak menambah kerentanan manusia terhadap bencana alam. Resultante dari kerawanan terhadap bencana alam lawan resiko intrinsic pertambangan bisa menjadi bencana besar bila terjadi gempa atau letusan gunung.

Gempa di Solok awal tahun ini menyebabkan permukaan air danau meluap setinggi 10 meter dan membanjiri kawasan sekitarnya. Akan seperti apa kejadiannya jika yang meluap adalah tailing dam? Kecelakaan demikian terjadi belum lama berselang di Filipina, tepatnya di pulau Rapu-rapu tahun lalu. Badai dan gelombang laut menyebabkan retaknya tailing dam yang lalu memuntahkan limbah tailing ke pemukiman dan kawasan pertanian penduduk pulau.

Sementara itu, Komite Internasional untuk Dam Raksasa (ICOLD) juga mencatat telah terjadi 221 kecelakaan tailing dam akibat faktor alam (gempa, cuaca buruk) dan human error di seluruh dunia. Laporan ini mengindikasikan rentannya factor keamanan dalam industri pertambangan dari gejala-gejala alam luar biasa. Mereka terbukti belum andal menangani resiko-resiko tersebut.

Akuntabilitas

Resiko lain yang mesti diperhitungkan penyelenggara Negara adalah akuntabilitas perusahaan. Seringkali perusahaan tambang tidak dapat mempertanggung jawabkan dampak yang telah disebabkannya. Dalam kasus luapan lumpur panas di Sidoarjo, kita menyaksikan bagaimana saham Lapindo diupayakan dijual ke berbagai pihak lain untuk menghapus beban penanganan semburan Lumpur kepada pihak pembeli. Meskipun upaya ini sempat digagalkan oleh BPK namun belakangan pemerintah juga harus berepot ria menalangi dana kompensasi dan rehabilitasi luapan Lumpur sebesar 900 milyar rupiah.

Pemerintah harus menjamin jangan sampai perusahaan meninggalkan tambangnya dengan mewariskan pencemaran. Satu contoh pewarisan pencemaran untuk masyarakat local akibat lemahnya akuntabilitas perusahaan terjadi di Rawas Gold project di Kabupaten Musi Rawas oleh junior miner pemiliknya, Laverton Gold NL. Laverton meninggalkan bencana lingkungan untuk masyarakat Muara Tiku. Pada tahun 1998-1999 Laverton dilanda masalah keuangan dan menawarkan konsesi Rawas ke berbagai perusahaan, antara lain DRD Gold (Afsel). Namun DRD kemudian membatalkan pembelian Rawas project. Sejak itu tidak diketahui siapa pemilik Rawas project karena Laverton sudah tidak bisa dilacak keberadaannya dan statusnya di ASX sudah delisted sejak 2006.

Jika begini, siapa yang akan mempertanggungjawabkan pencemaran sungai Tiku, sumber air warga setempat? Pemerintah Daerah merasa tidak pernah memberikan ijin kepada Laverton, sedang Pemerintah Pusat berdalih sekarang sudah era otonomi daerah. Lagi-lagi masyarakat lokal yang harus memecahkan sendiri masalah yang tak pernah dibuatnya. Dengan raibnya perusahaan, hilang pula kemungkinan menjerat Laverton atas kerusakan lingkungan dan pemiskinan masyarakat. Walaupun kita semua paham kemungkinan itu di sini sangat sangat kecil.

Dari pengalaman itu penting bagi pemerintah menuntut perusahaan menyediakan dana jaminan (bond) untuk setiap jenis resiko yang dapat muncul dari proyek sebelum proyek itu sendiri dimulai. Tujuannya untuk memastikan akuntabilitas dari korporasi dan menghindari tindakan melarikan diri lewat spin-off jika terjadi bencana atau kecelakaan yang membuatnya harus membayar biaya pemulihan. Tanpa adanya jaminan itu posisi pemerintah dan rakyat lemah terhadap perusahaan. Persis seperti posisi korban lumpur panas yang harus menerima ganti rugi sebesar perusahaan mampu membayar.

Meskipun opsi ini terasa sulit diwujudkan, mengingat untuk membayar royalti 1% untuk hutan yang dibabatnya saja perusahaan tambang enggan, pemerintah perlu mendorong kebijakan ini. Salah satu manfaatnya, ketika terjadi bencana pemerintah tidak perlu pusing dan repot melindungi perusahaan dan justru berposisi berhadap-hadapan dengan warganya sendiri yang jadi korban.

Kita memang hidup di Negara kepulauan yang sangat rawan bencana alam. Tapi jangan dilupakan bahwa bencana juga sedang mengintip dibalik investasi asing yang masuk berbondong-bondong ingin berebut kapling di republik ini.<end>

Kepustakaan:

1. Appollo Gold Quarterly Report 15 may 2007
2. East Asia Minerals, Indonesia project description
3. International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD)
4. Vandana Shiva, the Earth Democracy

Dalam rilisnya South Gobi menyatakan telah menandatangani kontrak dengan anak perusahaan Harita Group untuk melakukan eksplorasi di dua KP seluas 25.771 Ha di Bacan, Maluku dengan prospek tembaga-emas. Dengan model joint venture ini kelak SG berhak atas 85% saham di perusahaan yang didirikan bersama sekutu lokalnya.

AG mengklaim saat ini di lokasi prospek sudah siap bekerja 50 orang dan sudah didirikan gardu eksplorasi. AG dimiliki oleh Ivanhoe Mines yang baru saja berpartner dengan BHP untuk pengembangan tambang emas-tembaga di Mongolia Selatan. Maluku telah menjadi saksi atas konflik sengit yang melibatkan usaha pertambangan mulai dari kasus Ingold Maluku Satu di pulau Haruku hingga Nusa Halmahera Minerals di Halmahera.

Saat membicarakan hiruk-pikuk dunia pertambangan dengan berbagai kasus dan polemik yang terjadi, yang sering terbayang di kepala adalah kawasan-kawasan di luar Jawa yang dulunya berhutan lebat dengan sungai-sungai yang mengalir deras. Tambang emas, timah, nikel, atau tembaga dll banyak berada di pulau-pulau Sumatera, Kalimantan, juga pulau-pulau kecil seperti Bangka dan Belitung. Namun di era keemasan industri pertambangan dan otonomi daerah ini, Jawa pun bisa disulap jadi lahan investasi tambang.

Belum banyak diungkap kecuali dalam laporan-laporan perusahaan, beberapa kuasa pertambangan (KP) baru yang segera beroperasi di Jawa, antara lain yaitu;

1. Cibaliung Gold Project (Austindo Resources, konstruksi) Ujung Kulon, Jawa Barat

2. KP Pekalongan (Austindo Resources, eksplorasi), Jawa Tengah

3. KP Trenggalek (Austindo Resources, eksplorasi), Jawa Timur

4. Kuda prospect (Straits Resources, eksplorasi), Garut, Jawa Barat

5. Indomines, (Feasibility Study) di Kulonprogo, DIY

Austindo perusahaan yang berkedudukan di Australia. Di proyek Cibaliung Austindo memegang 89% saham sementara sisanya dimiliki ANTAM. Di beberapa proyeknya di Jawa Austindo diperkirakan menjadi operator utama. Cibaliung Gold project sejak tahun lalu memasuki tahap studi kelayakan lalu konstruksi. Meskipun sempat mengalami penundaan karena perhitungan biaya yang berubah dengan terjadinya tsunami di Pangandaran (Austindo harus mengeluarkan biaya mitigasi resiko tsunami) namun proyek ini terus melaju sepanjang 2007. Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) adalah salah satu garda financial Austindo, dan bagi kebanyakan junior miners dari negeri kanguru.

Proyek Cibaliung akan segera berproduksi (menurut versi Austindo) pada kuartal pertama 2008. Tambang Cibaliung akan dioperasikan dengan metode tambang tertutup (underground mining) selama 6 tahun umur tambang. Meskipun banyak pihak menganggap resiko lingkungan tambang tertutup lebih kecil dari tambang terbuka namun tidak menjamin akan bebas dari pencemaran. Jika di dalam tambang emasnya terkandung pyrite dan senyawa sulfida lainnya maka resiko munculnya air asam tambang menjadi persoalan serius. Sumber-sumber kontaminasi bisa berasal dari lorong tambang, waste rock dump, serta tailing dam.

Di Petungkriyono (Pekalongan), Austindo juga memperoleh KP eksplorasi dari pemerintah setempat. Petungkriyono adalah kecamatan yang berada di pegunungan Dieng, dikelilingi hutan produksi pinus yang cukup luas serta hutan alam di ketinggian lebih dari 1000 meter dpl. Jauh sebelum Austindo memulai eksplorasi, kawasan hutan produksi ini sudah jadi sengketa antara organisasi tani setempat dengan PT Perhutani. KP Pekalongan meliputi area seluas 5,618 ha. Sedangkan KP Trenggalek meliputi kawasan seluas 17,586 di daerah bernama Buluroto dan Sentul. Kedua prospek ini pertama kali ditemukan pada survey di tahun 1990an. Austindo merencanakan pengeboran di kedua prospek ini mulai awal 2008.

Straits Resources, perusahaan dari Australia ini memiliki proyek tambang yang sangat menguntungkan di Kalimantan Tengah. Lewat akuisisi atas kepemilikan Aurora Gold di PT Indomuro Kencana tiap tahun Straits memproduksi emas dan perak dari pedalaman Kalteng yang dulu hanya dikelola oleh penambang tradisional masyarakat Dayak. Straits juga merupakan pemilik tambang batubara di Pulau Sebuku (Kalsel). Sejak beberapa tahun belakangan Straits mendapatkan ijin eksplorasi di wilayah Cijulang (Garut).

Satu lagi proyek tambang yang nampaknya akan melaju mulus dan tidak mendapat banyak sorotan adalah tambang pasir besi di pesisir Kulonprogo. Operatornya adalah Indomines, perusahaan yang berkedudukan di Australia, mendapatkan Kuasa Pertambangan (KP) yang diterbitkan kepala daerah setempat lewat akuisisi saham. Kawasan ini nampaknya banyak digunakan warga sekitar sehingga resiko sosialnya cukup tinggi. Berikut adalah beberapa keterangan tentang proyek:

- Jumlah cadangan yang akan ditambang 300 juta ton pasir besi, produksi diperkirakan 300 ribu ton pertahun selama 15 tahun.

- Wilayah diindikasikan mengandung potensi pasir sedalam 10 meter berada sepanjang 22 km garis pantai dan lebar 1,8 km ke darat

- Survey topogaphy dikerjakan oleh Universitas Gajah Mada

- Management explorasi oleh Mackay & Schnellmann

- Drilling dilakukan oleh PT RB Drilling – Jakarta

- Analysis Laborat oleh ALS (Perth)

KP Indomines terbentang dari Kali Progo hingga Kali Bogowonto, selebar hampir dua kilometer ke darat. Sulit membayangkannya, akan seperti apa kawasan pantai ini setelah selesai ditambang. Satu pengalaman pahit tentang tambang pasir pantai bisa dilihat dari kasus pesisir Banten yang menyebabkan abrasi dan mematikan usaha perikanan.

Diperkirakan lebih banyak lagi KP baru akan dikeluarkan di Jawa karena survey geologi dan mineral juga aktif dilakukan walau tidak banyak publikasinya. Salah satunya yang disponsori oleh JICA di Jawa Timur (2001-2004) dan Tasikmalaya (2004-2007). Sementara itu di daerah Cigaru (Sukabumi) sekitar 15 km dari Pelabuhan Ratu, eksplorasi juga sedang giat dilakukan oleh perusahaan lokal PT Humanas. Konsesi yang dinamai Jampang prospect ini mencakup 8 KP seluas lebih dari 7000 hektar yang segera diakuisisi oleh Can-Asia dari Canada sebanyak 90%.

Proyek-proyek baru ini ibarat cermin yang mengingatkan pada nasib para korban kasus-kasus lama yang tidak kunjung selesai. Belum cukupkah Lapindo, Freeport, dll ???

The Jakarta Post Daily, in the Opinion and Editorial page published 21 June 2007, quoted an article written by Yolanda Torrisi, who is renowned as the publisher of ASIA Miner Magazine in Melbourne. The article began by raising a concern over protracted legislation of the Indonesian new mining Bill called Undang-undang Pertambangan Mineral dan Batubara (Minerba) and attempts to further discuss the matters being debated, however it introduces other topics with poor valid data apparently only from single source, thus the article becomes tendentious and far from objective.

The main concern raised by the writer was the postponement of some mining companies’ operation due to administrative conditions that are not yet fulfilled by project owners. The cases brought in by the writer included the Toka Tindung Mine in North Sulawesi operated by Archipelago Res. subsidiary PT Meares Soputan Mining (MSM) and Dairi Zinc-lead project in North Sumatera owned by Herald Res. Both the owners are Australian companies.

The Toka Tindung gold mine is now facing severe problem since it has not yet received an environment certificate (EIA/AMDAL) from the Ministry of Environment. It has also failed to obtain the consent of local population and authorities. The writer’s comment that Toka Tindung project is supported by local communities lacks verification from other independent sources. I can only conclude that this comment has been made based only on the company’s press release. The facts suggest that the majority of the population around the mine living in Batuputih, Rindondoran, Pulisan, and Kalinaun villages rejected the project development. Their rejection has been delivered to various institutions from village to province and national levels based on concerns over environmental factors and the social security of the population around the mine. The biggest protest against MSM, in which more than 5,000 locals participated on July 13^th 2006, resulted in attacks against protesters by thugs. MSM was suspected of being involved in this action since two of the main perpetrators were MSM employees.

Toka Tindung will be mined using the open pit method, which requires the conversion of large amounts of land without backfilling in the closure of mining. Together with the waste rock dump, the access road, the tailing dam, and the factory it occupies hundreds of hectares of land, which used to be productive plantations and the main source of livelihood to the local population. There’s no scenario put in place by Archipelago to replace the loss of livelihood among land owners. One thing for sure is that project won’t be able to employ them all. MSM is suspected of having forcefully taken over and occuping the land of locals. This is illustrated by a number of land disputes filed by 6 families in the State Court of Manado, North Sulawesi.

The bigger risk threatens coastal communities whose daily income is dependant on fishing activities in the nearby sea. More than 3,000 locals are involved in the fishing activities in the neighboring waters, using different sorts of equipment and different sizes of ship, which allows them to build fishing zones to prevent high competition. Fishing in this area has sustainably harvested marine resources for generations.

This established local production system is put in danger by MSM’s gold mining plan in terms of risk from the discharge of hazardous materials, both those materials put into the gold processing or those which originally come from the earth. Among the major risks are Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) and heavy metals from the open pit, the tailing dam, and the waste rock dump. Gold deposits are often associated with sulphuric rocks such as pyrite which can form acid once it has contact with water and oxygen. MSM’s record in handling the discharge matter is poor, so the security of the population and environment downstream has become vulnerable. On March 12^th this year, a huge overflow of mud and water swiftly rolled down from Toka Tindung and flooded Rinondoran village. The video news broadcasted in national TV channel shows the flood was as waist high. Aside from the material loss, the flood also killed a lot of fish and created the biggest disaster event in the area. Rinondoran had not been hit by flash flood for a long time, until MSM cleared so many lands and crops in Toka Tindung that are classified as protected areas according to local land use regulation (RUTR). Locals also reported that MSM had diverted the river Maen to obtain water for its gold processing. This was all undertaken by MSM even before it secured the valid environmental certificate thus MSM has committed a violation of the Minister of Environment Decree on Environmental Impact Assessment.

MSM (Archipelago Res.) has frequently been warned by local communities, academics, civil societies, and even the Governor of North Sulawesi himself to submit to local land use regulation, which classifies Toka Tindung as a protected area. If only the company had the willingness to hear this concern and had conducted proper and honest risk assessments, then such accidents could be prevented. The mining companies in Indonesia tend to be convinced that they can do everything at the cost of the people and environment once the Contract of Work has been secured from central government. Now if they encounter problems with wide-spread objections against their destructive mining practice and plan, they blame the critics for creating non conducive climate for foreign investment while in fact they are damaging the mining investment climate themselves by refusing to apply best mining practices.

Archipelago therefore cannot be said to have “ fully complied with due process, having spent much of 2006 revising comprehensive environmental impact analysis documents that meet all Indonesian and International banking requirements” as the author has written.

With all the risks that created for the local environment and community, Archipelago (MSM) does not meet the provisions of the Equator Principle and the UNEP Statement by Financial Institutions on the Environment & Sustainable Development to which its creditor banks (West LB, ANZ, Societe Generale) are bound. Its violation and manipulation of local consent and Indonesian environmental regulations is, after all, the root of the problems it faces now. Mining proponents should put this matter right by taking into consideration the entire background and root of the problems from various sources and not just blindly demanding special treatment and exemption from the Government of Indonesia.

Last but not least, the citation made by the author that mining has contributed 30% to GDP of Laos is a false and is a misleading statement since in fact it only contributes 6%.[1] The study of World Bank in 2006 has just predicted that the sector’s contribution will increase to 10% of GDP by the fiscal year end.[2]

[1] National Social and Economic Development Strategy 2006-2010, Lao PDR

[2] Sector Plan for Sustainable Development of the Mining Sector in the Lao PDR. The World Bank 2006

Firstly, mineral resources become strategic commodity because they’re not always abundant. Not to mention is the significance of this commodity in the fulfillment of demand in technology, industry, construction and electricity nowadays. Countries endowed with mineral richness have potential to pursue advancement and wealth for its citizen. However, poor management of mineral resources could lead to control and extraction of a country’s mineral reserve by foreign countries and companies.

The second is recognition that mining is a business that will not sustain for all time. The economy of mineral extraction is short term economy so that needs to be replaced once it comes to closure. Relying national economy on mining industry isn’t good choice. The economy will collapse when mining is over and no replacement is already put in place as economic foundation.

It is therefore, mineral-endowed country shall consider doing the followings:

1.      Allocation of mineral to be used for export and domestic supply as well as reserve for future generation. This shall be made based on the calculation of total reserve available throughout the country.

2.      In relation with point number one, the government shall develop the other economic sector rather than just mining and ensure that development of mining sector doesn’t harm promotion of other sectors.

The opposite of the two mentioned above is the export-oriented mineral extraction policy. Export orientation will create more and more foreign demand to the country’s mineral resources that later leads to unending exploitation under foreign control. While, the amount of revenues generated from royalty and tax usually inconsiderable compared to loss of biodiversity, local population’s livelihood, and environment destruction the country will also lose its future mineral reserve and chance to pursue industrialization.

With regard to the analysis guidance presented above, several issues discussed in this paper i.e. ownership, management and implementation of mining resources, the relation between government, company, and national and foreign interest.

1. The Ownership and Management of Mineral Resources

There are 9 articles in total discussing the ownership and management of mining resources as presented in the following table.

Table 1. Provisions on ownership and management of mineral resources

The stipulation on who owns the country’s mineral resources is found in Article 3 Ownership of Mineral Resources;

“ All mineral resources above, under land and water within the territory of the Lao PDR are the property of the national community and under centralized and unified management by the State ”

This provision affirms that mineral resources within the territory of the Lao PDR are the property of the whole citizen throughout the country. However, this right is limited only as property right not the management and utilization right. Therefore, citizen were not allowed to conduct mining operation by themselves despite they’re the true owner of the state’s richness.

It is then stipulated that management of mineral resources is conducted centrally and unified by the state which is then represented by the central government. This provision gives the government an ultimate power to develop the mining resources, including area surrounding the mine. Article 14 re mining concession which says “Mineral concessions are areas determined by the Government as areas where mineral operations may take place“ again re-affirms the government’s single authority in the designation of mining concession.

To some extent this provision has its justification in order to ensure that important natural resources controlled by the state and not by the private parties. On the other hand, this provision has its negative side as well. Since the government has very strong and key position, it has the right to make any decision re mineral resources management, including issuing any concession for mineral processing and extraction without obligation to conduct any consultation with adequate stakeholders.

Very often, such provision translated by the government it can do anything with mineral resources and the surrounding environment at any cost. The rights and participation of the citizen, esp. local communities are then disregarded because the law doesn’t rule. This absolute position often leads to wrongdoing by the government and companies that resulted in the destruction of environment and illegal occupancy of community’s lands. The impacts to local population will be worse as very lack provisions protecting their rights available under this law. No articles in this law mentions consultation or community’s consent prior to mining operation take place. The rights of local population is only limited to receiving compensation and resettlement if impacted by mining project.

2. Implementation of Mining Activities via Concession

As normally found in some countries there are several types of mining permits in Lao PDR. The government itself can operate a mining project, as well as private company be it domestic or foreign owned. In case of foreign companies they must form a joint investment (joint venture) and to sign contract with the government of Lao PDR. Article 21 re Investment in Mining Activities discussed this matter.

While in the establishment of mining area the government is the single powerful authority, it doesn’t seem to have the similar standing in the implementation of mining concession. In Paragraph (2) of Article 21 the government of Lao PDR acknowledges the right of actors other than state to conduct mining operation by permission of the government. This article acknowledges the private companies (including foreign) to operate mining project within Lao PDR jurisdiction by forming joint venture with the government.

To some extent, this provision will help government of Lao PDR in providing fund for financing the mining projects since it will share the cost of operation with investment partner. However, this term will weaken the position of Lao PDR government because as parties bound by contract the position of the government will be equal with the company. If there is dispute among them, the government cannot sue the company for breaking the law because company will consider this as breach of contract and therefore will sue back the government via arbitration as ruled by this law (Article 55 Arbitration). Usually, government will drop its intention to sue the company once company state they will use arbitration which always said as long, tiring and costly procedure. The case of civil lawsuit of Government of Indonesia against Newmont Minahasa Raya Ltd. is a good example for this context. Newmont was able to force the government to enter agreement otherwise they bring the dispute into arbitration for breaching the contract item.

On the contrary, this type of license regime is very much favored by foreign companies because this gives them strong position equal with central government. In many cases, companies hold such contract have done everything they want and not to listen to any objection because it has position equal with central government.

This provision gives disincentive to people because their government cannot protect and fulfill their rights if it goes opposite way with the willingness of company. Company will sue government if it wants to protect the right of the people. In case they become victims of mining the government cannot defend them in the court.

The best position for the government should be standing as regulator, not party in contract. As regulator, government issues mining permit, supervise the operation, and it has power to revoke the permit anytime for considerable reasons. Under the contract regime, government’s position will be ambivalent because it cannot supervise the company that has the equal position with it while the other law (e.g. environmental protection law) rule that government must monitor the impacts resulted by any business activities. It is important to keep in mind that contract is a law to parties bound with it.

3. Whose resources?

Article 10. Protected or Restricted Minerals:

“ For efficient and sustainable use, the Government shall issue a periodical list of protected or restricted minerals from export, import or for which export under the form of raw material is limited.”

This article is regarded well from the national interest point of view. This provision provides strong liability for the government to ensure the long term availability of mineral resources for domestic use by keeping some of the reserves out from exploitation. It reflects the awareness among the drafters that mineral is non-renewable resource that needs to be used efficiently and to be reserved for future generation needs. However, without presence of implementing regulation that explains the amount of mineral for exploitation and for reserve, this provision will never be effective.

Very often, the decision up on which mineral reserves to be exploited or not is pushed by external actors such like investors and donor countries rather than the country’s government itself. Therefore, from the perspective of investors this provision will not be favored because it will reduce their possible investment expansion. This provision is good for the country but will face many hurdles once the government wants to use this.

It should also be taken into account the foreign multilateral agencies’ role like World Bank, ADB, or WTO that will not like this provision because it is regarded as barrier for investment proliferation. These institutions have established social and environmental safeguards for its projects to ensure that no barriers should hamper private investment although in many projects between the policy safeguard and its implementation are contradictive.

The integration of Indochina countries (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and China) into one free trade and economic region shall cause considerable increase of investment in extractive sector including mining. The agreement facilitated by ADB since 1992 and further supported by WB as well as other agencies aimed at facilitating the transfer of power, goods, service, and labors between countries in region which regarded as signal to dynamic regional market and industry growth. Since industrialization is impossible without supply on raw materials, there will be transfer of raw materials from the non-industrialized countries to industrialized countries. It won’t be easy anymore for Laos to prioritize its national agenda for mineral preservation while it has been bound with regional pact on trade and investment. Failure to meet demand for raw materials from the region can be regarded as impeding regional market growth. Laos can be alleged as breaching the multilateral agreement that could lead to political tension among countries.