Page Number: 801-808
TRADITIONAL GOLD MINING IN WEST KALIMANTAN: HOW MUCH MERCURY IS LEFT?
WINARDI5, EKO HARYONO, SUDRAJAT,ENDANG SUTARININGSIH SOETARTO
Abstract
Traditional gold mining activities release mercury into the environment and raise public unrest. This research aimed to make certain the presence of mercury residues on the land. It took place in Mandor Village, West Kalimantan and divided the age of former gold mining land into three groups, namely t>10 years; 5200 mV, the highest pyrite content (FeS2) (323.44 mg/kg), and the lowest pH (3.7) contained the highest mercury among the age groups. Low pH reduced the contribution of bacteria in removing mercury in the soil but improved their adaptability. The age of former mining land did not control the mercury content in soils. Instead, the contributing factors were soil physical-chemical properties and indigenous bacteria potential.
