Background. The high value of gold reserves in West Sumbawa Regency (WSR) and West
Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia has resulted in an increase in small-scale gold mining
activity in this area. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is an attractive alternative
livelihood for rural workers because it has good potential to improve the wealth of a
community. Miners need very little training to mine gold and the transition from traditional
farming or fishing is easy to make. However, the key environmental consequence of ASGM in
West Sumbawa is the extensive use of mercury and its impact on human health.
Objectives. The ASGM activity in WSR is quite recent when compared to other ASGM
activity in Indonesia. The current study was conducted to better understand the lifestyle,
extent of mercury exposure,and the health of people living in WSR, West Nusa Tenggara
Province, Indonesia.
Methods. The present study was designed as a purposive field sampling study conducted in
WSR, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The subjects were miners and families from
three different sites within the WSR: individuals directly exposed to mercury, indirectly
exposed individuals and non-exposed individuals. Hair mercury analysis was done with all
subjects. Health questionnaires, physical examinations and socio-economic surveys were
conducted with exposed subjects.
Results. The ASGM sector in the WSR consists of a high number of migrant workers who
have a great economic impact on the local area, high mercury use, a great deal of illegal
mercury trading, and a high mercury concentration (>13 mg/kg) in their hair. The results
suggest that ASGM activities affect the health of exposed and indirectly exposed individuals.
Conclusions. The current scale of ASGM activity in the WSR is predicted to rise. ASGM
activities in the WSR is an important challenge that needs to be addressed