Harita Nickel presented its innovation in utilizing nickel slag as a soil amendment for post-mining land reclamation at the 2026 Mine Reclamation Technology Expo, organized by IPB University on 8–9 October 2026 at the IPB International Convention Center in Bogor.
Held under the theme “Synergy of Policy, Innovation, and Implementation in Transforming Post-Mining Land into Productive Landscapes,” the event featured a presentation by Retno Dwi Handayani, Green Mining Manager at Harita Nickel, titled “Nickel Slag Innovation as a Soil Ameliorant for Post-Mining Land.” The forum brought together academics, government representatives, companies, mining associations, practitioners, and community members to share knowledge and innovations in post-mining land management.
In her presentation, Retno explained how nickel slag, a byproduct of nickel processing, can be utilized as a soil amendment to support reclamation and revegetation. This initiative is part of the company's efforts to optimize the use of processing byproducts and give them additional value in restoring post-mining land.
“Utilizing nickel slag as a soil ameliorant is one of our efforts to optimize nickel processing byproducts so they can provide additional benefits in supporting the reclamation and revegetation of post-mining land,” Retno explained.
Retno also presented the application of nickel slag to support the growth of cover crops and various tree species, including legumes, citronella, red jabon, sengon, eucalyptus, and bintangur. These plant species form part of revegetation efforts to support the recovery of post-mining land.
The use of nickel slag as a soil amendment is also guided by SNI 9420:2025, which regulates its application as a soil amendment and planting medium. This standard provides an important technical reference for developing nickel slag utilization practices in accordance with applicable requirements.
In addition to delivering the presentation, Harita Nickel participated in the poster exhibition through an infographic outlining the stages of reclamation, from seedling preparation and planting to improvements in planting media and soil restoration. This visual presentation helped participants better understand the reclamation approach implemented by the company.
Harita Nickel's participation in the 2026 Mine Reclamation Technology Expo at IPB University provided an opportunity to share experience and broaden knowledge exchange on post-mining land management. Collaboration among academia, government, and industry is essential to further developing reclamation practices grounded in science and technology.
Through its innovation in nickel slag utilization, Harita Nickel continues to encourage the development of solutions for managing processing byproducts that can responsibly support the reclamation and revegetation of post-mining land.
From Downstream Processing to Land Reclamation: Innovations in Post-Mining Land Management
To achieve responsible mining that delivers lasting environmental benefits, post-mining land management must continue to develop. This is one of the key messages from the IPB University Mining Reclamation Technology Showcase 2026 (Gelar Teknologi Reklamasi Tambang IPB University 2026), held on October 8-9 at the IPB International Convention Center in Bogor.
Under the theme “Sinergi Kebijakan, Inovasi, dan Implementasi dalam Transformasi Lahan Pascatambang menjadi Lanskap Produktif” (“Policy, Innovation, and Implementation Synergy in Transforming Post-Mining Land into Productive Landscapes”), the event brought together academics, government, companies, mining associations, practitioners, and the general public to share knowledge and innovations in post-mining land management.
The event was opened with remarks by the Chair of the IPB 2026 Gelar Teknologi (Technology Showcase), Prof. Dr. Ir. Sulistiono, M.Sc. He stressed that reclamation must be carried out properly and involve many parties so environmental recovery can go hand in hand with community benefits.
“There is science behind mining, including post-mining. That is why reclamation must be supported by knowledge, technology, policy, and community involvement, so that post-mining land can once again provide benefits for both the environment and the community,” said Prof. Sulistiono.
From the government, the Director General of Mineral and Coal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Dr. Ing. Tri Winarno, S.T., M.T., attended to outline the direction of national energy and resource policy. The presence of the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal underscores the government’s role in guidance, control, and oversight of reclamation and post-mining activities.
Harita Nickel also took part as a speaker. Retno Dwi Handayani, Harita Nickel’s Green Mining Manager, delivered a presentation titled “Inovasi Slag Nikel untuk Soil Ameliorant pada Lahan Pascatambang” (“Nickel Slag Innovation for Soil Ameliorant in Post-Mining Land”). She explained Harita Nickel’s innovation in using slag, a nickel processing residue, as a soil ameliorant in the reclamation process.
“Using nickel slag as a soil ameliorant is one of our efforts to optimize nickel processing residue so that it can provide added benefits in supporting the reclamation and revegetation of post-mining land,” Retno explained.
Retno also showed how nickel slag has been applied to cover crops and tree species, including legumes, citronella, red jabon, sengon, kayu putih, and bintangur. This application now has a technical reference in SNI 9420:2025, the Indonesian National Standard governing the use of nickel slag as a soil ameliorant and growing medium.
In addition to speaking, Harita Nickel took part in exhibiting an infographic poster illustrating the company’s reclamation initiative using nickel slag. The reclamation stages are explained visually so they are easy to follow, from seedling preparation and phased planting to improving the growing medium and restoring soil condition.
Taking part in the event is part of the company’s effort to share hands-on practices, expand collaboration, and encourage innovation in post-mining land management. By using nickel slag as a soil ameliorant, Harita Nickel is sharing an industry practice that supports sustainable reclamation.
Successful reclamation requires synergy among science, technology, industry policy, and the community to create productive post-mining land that delivers long-term benefits.