The Chairman of P4W IPB University Explains the Causes of Mount Kuda Mining Landslide
The landslide disaster that occurred in the Gunung Kuda mining excavation area, Cirebon Regency, has triggered serious attention to mining practices in the area.
The Chairman of the Center for the Study of Planning and Regional Development (P4W) IPB University, Prof Baba Barus, said that the main cause of the landslide in the Gunung Kuda mining excavation was strongly suspected to come from the excavation method that created steep slopes.
“If you look at the visual appearance of the media, the excavation method that creates steep slopes is the main cause. This condition is most likely exacerbated by physical-mechanical disturbances that result in fractures in the rock or soil mass,” said the IPB University Remote Sensing and Geospatial Information Expert.
He added that the fractures weaken the bond between materials, causing the collapse of rock or soil masses that can be categorized as landslides.
According to Prof Baba, this landslide clearly highlights the effectiveness of government supervision of mining licenses and activities. Despite warnings, the landslide shows that supervision has not been effective. This indicates the need to re-evaluate the implementation of the supervisory function.
“Ideally, local governments should have a digital database that not only records licenses, but is also able to predict potential problems if the implementation of mining activities does not comply with applicable standards,” he explained.
Prof Baba said this kind of database could be an early detection tool to prevent similar incidents in the future. He emphasized stricter, more transparent and data-driven supervision.
This step, he said, is important to ensure that mining activities run according to the rules and do not endanger the environment and surrounding communities.
In addition, said Prof Baba, so that mining activities do not cause disruption to local springs, a comprehensive study is absolutely necessary. The study is also needed so that the geological stability of the region is maintained.
“The information circulating shows that there should have been studies indicating no disturbance to springs and regional stability. However, careful post-mining planning is often missed,” he said.
He emphasized, “Ex-excavated land must be planned in such a way that after mining activities are completed, land conditions become better and more useful, instead of creating new problems.”
