The Economic Life of The Native People Around the Former Mamut Mine

Abstract

Preliminary surveys have identified the economic life of indigenous communities living around the former Mamut Copper Mine. Kampung Poring -104 houses, population 900 adults and children. 60% are Christians and the rest are Muslims. All depend on gravity water from the Kopungit I and II Reservoir as well as the Langanan River. Half of the households do not own a land grant despite having lived there since 1950 (tombstone evidence). Half of the households run roadside stalls in front of the Poring Hot Water station; Nine households operating homestays under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism (MOTAC) have not yet established an association. Two Households have Reflesia Flowers for tourism. Average Household Monthly Income MYR 2500 (peak seasons / holidays = MYR6720; Low season = MYR320; COVID time = MYR0). A dispute related to the 200-acre Grazing Reserve Land. Residents have applied to Sabah Parks for 200 acres of land from the former Mamut mine to be gazetted as Community Use Zone Land. They are worried about safety if the toxic lake dam of the former mine cracks or breaks during an earthquake and hot water overflow (December 2021 flood). Kampung Bongkud-200 households, population 2,000 adults and children. The majority are Christians and the rest are Muslims. All depend on gravity water from the Pangatan river. 8 PPRT houses/ e-Kasih households (B-40). The distance between this village and the copper mine waste disposal site is 500 meters. Before that, this area was a paddy field of the Bongkod people.Almost all have land grants. In addition to running roadside stalls, they also do subsistence farming. Average Household Monthly Income MYR1,200