23 November 2012

Bangka - my trip to Indonesia's tin island

Just recently I crossed the globe to document the devastating effects of tin mining on a once beautiful Indonesian tropical island paradise: Bangka Island.

I knew there was a problem, but wasn't ready for the huge tracts of barren, deforested ex-mining land scarring the countryside.

I also had no idea just how much coral - 70% according to the marine biologist I spoke to - had been killed by the dredger boats' habit of dumping mining tailings into the previously clear water.

Nor did I appreciate the scale of the human costs. Fishing communities' livelihoods are ruined as fish leave the dead coral; 'informal' artisanal miners are regularly killed and injured by collapsing mines; and doctors and scientists suspect the rocketing malaria rate is linked to the stagnant water-filled craters the miners leave behind.

With the help of our amazing sister group Walhi - Friends of the Earth Indonesia - we've put together films, a photo gallery and a full report on Bangka's tin, and its links to the electronics industry.

Please take a look at them if you'd like a taster of the things I saw on my eye-opening trip - and to find out what we can all do to try and help.

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