Community Legal Advocacy for Environmental Protection: A Case Study on Illegal Mining in South Sulawesi

Advokasi Hukum Komunitas untuk Perlindungan Lingkungan: Studi Kasus tentang Penambangan Ilegal di Sulawesi Selatan

Abstract

Introduction:
Illegal mining activities in South Sulawesi have caused extensive environmental degradation, undermining ecological integrity, public health, and the socio-economic sustainability of local communities. These impacts are exacerbated by weak regulatory enforcement, governance failures, and the dominance of corporate and political interests, resulting in persistent environmental injustice and limited access to effective remedies for affected populations.

Purposes:
This study aims to examine the effectiveness of community-based legal advocacy in addressing illegal mining practices and in advancing the protection of environmental rights within affected communities.

Method:
The research adopts a qualitative case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with affected residents, environmental activists, public interest lawyers, and government officials. These primary data were complemented by the analysis of environmental impact assessment reports, legal documents, and relevant policy materials to ensure triangulation and analytical rigor.

Findings and Results:
The findings reveal that community legal advocacy has played a significant role in empowering local communities to document environmental violations, submit formal complaints, and exert pressure on regulatory authorities. Community mobilization also contributed to increased environmental awareness and collective resistance to illegal mining activities. However, the sustainability of legal successes remains fragile, as advocacy efforts frequently encounter political–economic resistance, institutional inertia, and uneven law enforcement.

Urgency:
This research underscores an urgent need to address illegal mining due to its potential to cause irreversible environmental damage and to further erode the livelihoods, health, and social cohesion of vulnerable communities.

Contribution:
The study contributes to the environmental justice and socio-legal literature by highlighting the strategic role of grassroots legal advocacy in contexts characterized by weak governance and extractive resource exploitation, particularly in the Global South.

Recommendation:
The study recommends strengthening legal protections for environmental defenders, enhancing transparency and accountability in environmental governance, and improving the consistency and effectiveness of law enforcement mechanisms to support community-based environmental justice initiatives.