Jakarta (ANTARA) - State-run cement producer PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, or SIG, through a statement, Saturday, stated that the company continues to implement surface mining technique in its operations to support the government's efforts to realize sustainable mining.
Surface mining is an explosive-less mining technique conducted above the surface by using a mobile milling machine, with a 950 HP surface miner engine power, for the separation of limestone as raw material.
This equipment has a capacity to dredge 300 tons of materials per hour. Meanwhile, materials from the mining process are gathered using a wheel loader.
SIG's Corporate Secretary, Vita Mahreyni, stated that the implementation of surface mining had begun since 2012 as a form of improvisation in SIG's mining activities.
This aims to handle the direct impact of explosive mining at locations within 500-700 m of residential areas.
"Separation of rocks using surface mining technique has few advantages, including minimizing dust, noise, and vibration pollution," she remarked.
Moreover, the technique improves the quality of mining production, as it is done with the selective mining method, and it forms a clean and stable excavation surface.
Mining plays an important role for construction, both for the public and industry.
The government had provided a mining guideline through the Republic of Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Decree No. 1827 K/30/MEM/2018.
This was issued to realize green sustainable mining that takes into account the people's health and prosperity.
As a company that works in the mining sector, SIG supports the government's efforts in realizing sustainable mining.
"In addition to mining sustainably, SIG restores post-mining land through reclamation by planting various types of trees, including teak, johor, mahogany, sengon, flamboyant, trembesi, kesambi, and juwet (Java plum)," she stated.
Until February 2023, SIG had conducted land reclamation after mining limestone in the Tuban Factory, covering an area of 313.36 ha, and planted 533,200 trees.
Mahreyni stated that the reclamation program undertaken by SIG involves 527 mentee farmers within 24 groups to work on the green belt land.
Farmers are provided production facilities, training, and education on effective and efficient agriculture innovation based on environmental preservation.
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Reporter: Citro Atmoko, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
