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The commitment to responsible nickel mining and downstreaming requires more than just slogans; it requires proven technical standards. Responding to this challenge, Harita Nickel has taken on a strategic role in formulating Indonesian National Standards (SNI) related to the utilization of nickel slag, which is now converted into useful materials for environmental restoration, as outlined in SNI 9420:2025. This standard serves as a reference for the safe, measurable, and consistent utilization of slag, while promoting a circular economy approach in post-mining activities.
This step affirms the company's position not only as a nickel producer, but also as a party that encourages the implementation of responsible environmental management practices in order to provide a long-term positive impact on the ecosystem and communities around its operational area on Obi Island, South Halmahera, North Maluku.
Nickel slag, a solid material left over from the smelting process using Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace (RKEF) technology, has been a major consideration in environmental management. Harita Nickel has consistently utilized this slag as a soil conditioner to support post-mining land reclamation and revegetation.
The results are evident: former mining land can be replanted faster, accelerating ecosystem recovery and supporting revegetation and land function restoration efforts for local communities surrounding the mining area.
However, in order for these good practices to be widely and safely adopted, standard references are needed. This is where Insan Harita Nickel plays a vital role. Collaborating with the National Standardization Agency (BSN), experts from Harita Nickel are actively involved in Technical Committee 13-05 on Mineral and Coal Mining Environmental Protection.
Harita Nickel's HSE Director, Tonny Gultom, who is a member of the SNI Formulation Technical Committee, emphasized that the presence of this standard is crucial to create uniformity in the quality of environmental management in the national nickel industry.
"The nickel slag standard provides a harmonized technical reference for industry practitioners. Thus, the utilization of slag in the field has clear, safe, and scientifically and regulatory accountable standards," Tonny explained.
In addition to Tonny, Harita Nickel's Executive Vice President of Environmental Affairs, Iwan Syahroni, also participated as a member of the technical committee, strengthening industry representation in the formulation of this policy.
Technical input also came from Harita Nickel's Vice President of Environmental Green Mining, Retno Dewi Handayani, who served as the SNI draft's conceptualizer. According to Retno, Harita Nickel's empirical experience in the field served as important data in drafting these regulations.
"Our experience in utilizing slag as a soil conditioner for reclamation served as the main reference. The goal is for the resulting national standard to be truly relevant, workable, and ensure long-term environmental safety," said Retno.
The publication of this national standard document is expected to serve as a guideline for the entire nickel industry in managing processing residues wisely. Harita Nickel's active participation in the drafting of this national standard is clear evidence of the company's dedication to not only complying with regulations but also proactively creating new standards in environmental protection and the empowerment of areas surrounding the mine.