Ready to face the worst

KOMPAS/HARRY SUSILO

Heavy equipment is used on Friday (1/3/2019) evening to create an access way to a gold mine that had been hit by a landslide in Bakan village, Lolayan district, Bolaang Mongondow regency, North Sulawesi. The heavy machinery replaces manual work carried out by the rescue team to evacuate miners buried in the landslide.

Misma Simbala, 55, has been awaiting news of his brother Samsul Rijal, 58, for three days. Every morning, he goes to Bakan village, Lolayan district, Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi. He comes home when night falls.

Misma, who lives in Tanoyan village, is waiting for information about his brother’s fate at the post, right at the gate of PT J Resources Bolaang Mongondow (JRBM) mining company. The gold mine site hit by landslides in Bakan village, located within a PT JRBM concession, on the outer side bordering the forest. The closest access to the mine is from PT JRBM.