Ministry of Environment and Forestry builds gold processing facility without mercury in Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan province to reduce environmental pollution from gold mining activities.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry in Indonesia has constructed a small-scale gold processing facility, known as PESK, in Geruguk Village, Kapuas Hulu District, West Kalimantan Province. The facility aims to reduce the risk of chemical pollution caused by mining activities by processing gold without the use of mercury. The Kapuas Hulu local government and the Ministry of LHK signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and work agreement related to gold processing without mercury in Jakarta. The largest gold mines in Kapuas Hulu are situated in Boyan Tanjung, Bunut Hilir, and Bunut Hulu Sub-districts, and these areas have been subject to environmental studies conducted by a Kehatilab consultant team. The district head expressed concern over potential environmental pollution in the future due to the use of chemicals and waste generated during the mining process. The PESK facility is expected to help reduce this risk.