The Fulfillment of People’s Rights for Environmental Health at Donggala Mining Areas: The Perspective of Health Policies

Abstract

Introduction: Donggala Regional Government’s policies that allow rock mining permits to 54 companies resulted in environmental destruction and health disturbances of society due to polluted air and water. Society has minimum participation due to a lack of knowledge. Method: This socio-juridical research perceived law as an observable social symptom. It used the descriptive approach. Results: The Donggala Regional Government gave permits without adequate environmental impact assessments nor consideration for green mining to prevent pollutions that may affect people’s health. There is a lack of social participation as people lacked knowledge of mining and its effects. Discussion: Society has the right to reject giving permits (permit of distraction/hinder ordonnantie) if companies do not apply green mining, to prevent them from obtaining mining permits. Society also has the right to file a lawsuit against mining permits that are issued without adequate environmental and health analyses. Conclusion: The Donggala Regional Government have terrible mining policies as they do not analyze the process, waste management, and post-mining reclamation well. There is a lack of social participation as people do not know all mining processes and permits.