Sand Price Doubles After Shutdown of Sand Mines in Lumajang
15 October 2015 10:34 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Sand prices in Malang have drastically skyrocketed after the shutdown of sand mines in Lumajang. The previous sand price was Rp900,000 per truck but have now jumped to Rp1.5 million per truck.
“Sand price has been expensive since two week ago,” said entrepreneur Imam Ghozali on Wednesday, Oct 14.
In order to run his business, Imam requires a dose of two to three trucks a day. Sand becomes the primary raw material besides cement for sanitary production. Lumajang sands are renown for its strength and sturdiness for sanitary equipment.
Due to the expensive price of sand, some entrepreneurs chooses to buy sand in Wlingi, Blitar. Yet its quality is not as good as Lumajang sand.
Talangsuko becomes the center for sanitation cottage industry. Its product will be shipped to several regions in East Java. After the price surge, Imam chooses to stop production, because if the prices are increased, it is feared that the buying power will slump. Meanwhile, buyers also perform a holdback in purchasing sanitary products.
Since the abuse of an anti-mining activist on Sept 26, all sand mines in Lumajang were shutdown, including the ones located offshore. Sands have been scarce with skyrocketing prices.
EKO WIDIANTO
