Dilemma in Illegal Oil Mining in Muba

Curbing illegal oil mining in Musi Banyuasin regency, is causing a dilemma for the local authorities. On one hand, they give livelihood to the miners. However, on the other hand, it causes pollution and life-threatening.

KOMPAS/RHAMA PURNA JATI

A woman carries crude oil with a bucket in an illegal mining area in Keluang Village, Keluang District, Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra, Friday (16/9/2022)..

The absence of a legal umbrella and a high demand for crude oil have caused illegal oil mining to continue to grow in Musi Banyuasin regency, South Sumatra, or commonly called Muba.

On Friday (16/9/2022), Hendriansyah (29) was busy lifting jerry cans filled with jet black crude oil that he had just collected from the area of the former oil well in Keluang Village, Keluang District, Musi Banyuasin regency, South Sumatra. From each jerry can containing 20 kilograms of crude oil he can earn Rp 50,000 (US$3.50).