Indonesia seizes mercury shipment bound for illegal mines in the Philippines
Indonesian authorities seized a large shipment of mercury intended for illegal mines in the Philippines. The mercury, hidden in carpets, poses serious health risks as it is a potent neurotoxin. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of illegal mining in Southeast Asia amid rising gold prices.
- ▪Inspectors found hundreds of containers of mercury concealed in a shipment at Jakarta's Tanjung Priok Port.
- ▪The mercury was intended for use in illegal mining operations in the Philippines, specifically in Davao.
- ▪Authorities have charged two individuals with violations of trade and mining laws related to the shipment.
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Inspectors at Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok Port found hundreds of individual containers of mercury hidden in carpets in a shipment bound for the Philippines in late April.Mercury is used in the so-called artisanal and small-scale mining sector to separate gold particles from ores recovered at illegal mines. However, the heavy metal is a severe neurotoxin that causes developmental disorders in children as well as devastating cognitive and physical impairments in adults.Pollution from mining has contaminated rivers, crops and fisheries, with studies linking exposure to serious health risks and reporting suggesting increased incidences of malaria transmission.Experts say the all-time high price of gold reached this year is driving more people to illegal mining sites, undermining international…
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