Palembang-TAMBANG,- The Association of Indonesian Mining Experts (PERHAPI) officially released a book entitled “Mining Green Economy (EHP) to coincide with the XXXIV Annual Professional Meeting (TPT) which was held in Palembang, South Sumatra on Tuesday and Wednesday, (11-12/11). This book, although still in release form, will be a reference for the mining sector and natural resource producing areas in managing potential in a sustainable manner.
The mining sector has become one of the sectors with the largest contribution to the national economy. The contribution of the extractive sector is not only in the form of state revenue but also in other aspects such as employment and local economic growth.
“In short, mining has become a mainstay in national economic transformation. Even more so when Indonesia succeeded in encouraging the downstreaming of mining products,” explained Budi Hartono, Head of Post-Mining Studies and Mining Green Economy, PERHAPI in Palembang (11/11).
However, it must be acknowledged that there are threats that need immediate solutions specifically related to community life after mining activities. “It must be admitted that it is not easy to attach the terms “green” or “sustainable” to this industry. The mining sector is still seen as a contributor to environmental damage. On the other hand, mining activities will definitely end when reserves run out or it is no longer economical to mine,” continued Budi.
Areas that grow around mining operations are often lost because they are lulled by an economy that depends on mining operations. When mining activities ended, previously thriving areas slowly declined.
PERHAPI in recent years has pushed to realize a green and sustainable economy. “We want that when the mining ends, the area that has grown will not be wasted. This must start with a green and sustainable economic movement. PPM and other forms of reclamation programs must be managed as the forerunner to regional development or initial mover,” continued Budi.
PERHAPI General Chair Sudirman Widhy Hartono emphasized that the extractive sector will sooner or later be finished as non-renewable mining materials run out. Therefore, we all have to start transforming the current mining economy towards a sustainable green economy.
According to Widhy, community residents around the location of mining company production operations no longer only depend on the economic wheels that run because of mining activities in the area. The community must continue to be empowered to run the economy after mining activities end or mineclosure. Companies through PPM activities and other programs are asked to prepare for post-mining economic life.
“This movement needs to be strategically transformed through optimizing the use of DBH SDA Minerba, policy and regulatory instruments in building sustainable regional development driven by productive and business activities, so that it becomes the prime mover for regional sustainability with a green and sustainable economic approach,” said Widhy.
He emphasized that the spirit of the 1945 Constitution, article 33, does not only mean the transformation of the national economy from mining goods to communities far from mining operations but also transforming the economy of communities around mining areas. “The sustainability concept that mining companies must build is that the community continues to live in prosperity when mining business activities end. That must start now,” continued Widhy.
Director of Coal Business Development, Surya Herjuna emphasized that the mining industry is the prime mover that moves the economy. “This is what makes a mining operation area that previously did not have many residents slowly grow into an area. They then live and depend on mining operation activities. But mining activities will definitely end so it is necessary to prepare for how the lives of communities around the mine will live after the operation,” he stressed.
According to Surya, his party is trying to carry out post-mining collaboration not only related to the problem of handling environmental aspects, the danger aspects of post-mining areas but how to move the economy at least closer to the economy when the mine was operating. “It won’t be the same, but at least it will be close. People who have enjoyed income from mining activities can live and carry out economic activities to replace the mining sector,” said Surya again.
He appreciated PERHAPI’s steps related to post-mining which not only pay attention to environmental and geotechnical aspects but also to the community which will move the economy forward. “Therefore, from the start, we helped prepare tools so that mining companies pay attention to community empowerment. That must be synchronized with post-mining documents because it is these communities who will continue the post-mining economy,” stressed Surya.
In the future, post-mining activities will not only be seen from technical aspects but also other aspects. The government in the future will not only look at environmental and socio-economic improvements but also society. “They are the drivers of the post-mining economy who must be prepared from the start,” concluded Surya.
Source: www.tambang.co.id
