02 October 2024
Over 300 students from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) attended a public lecture titled "The Role of Nickel and Energy Transition in Building a Clean Future in Indonesia." The event, held at the Auditorium of the Smart Green Learning Center (SGLC) in the Faculty of Engineering at UGM, was part of the Harita Nickel Goes to Campus (HGTC) program. This initiative aims to provide students with insights into the strategic role of nickel in supporting Indonesia's sustainable energy transition.
The event featured Harita Nickel’s Director of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), Tonny Gultom, as the keynote speaker. He was accompanied by other Harita Nickel experts, including Head of Exploration and Mine Development Robby Rafianto, Climate Change Senior Specialist Muhammad Iqbal, and Community Affairs Superintendent Muhammad Yuda Pranata. The session was moderated by Dr. Eng. Ir. Lucas Donny Setijadji, S.T., M.Sc., IPU, a lecturer from UGM's Department of Geological Engineering.
In his presentation, Tonny emphasized the importance of implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in the mining industry, particularly to ensure environmental sustainability. “One of our tangible efforts is regular ecological monitoring, which includes tracking seawater quality and preserving marine biodiversity around our operational areas,” he explained.
Tonny also highlighted Harita Nickel's environmental conservation initiatives, such as the installation of artificial coral reefs, or reef cubes, in the waters near Kawasi, Obi Island. This program aims to maintain biodiversity and support fish population growth in the area. The company also conducts routine seawater quality testing, plankton sampling, and temperature monitoring to ensure the marine ecosystem remains healthy.
“We take water samples to test their quality, conduct plankton sampling, and profile seawater columns. Additionally, we monitor the health of fish and coral reefs and keep track of water temperature,” Tonny elaborated.
In addition to environmental efforts, Harita Nickel is also engaged in community empowerment programs. Community Affairs Superintendent Muhammad Yuda Pranata mentioned that the company’s agribusiness program on Obi Island, North Maluku, has created hundreds of jobs. “The Food Resilience Center in Buton Village supports 65 farming groups, with watermelon harvests reaching 8 tons every month,” Yuda said.
He further explained, “Programs like horticultural development and community entrepreneurship units have significantly improved the local economy, especially through capacity-building initiatives for local farmers.”
The lecture was met with great enthusiasm by UGM students. Kirana Permatasari, a student from the Faculty of Technology, expressed her admiration. “The event was amazing. I had the chance to learn directly from experts and gain a deeper understanding of the nickel industry in Indonesia, especially its products and derivatives,” she said.
Zito Zuma, a UGM student from the 2020 class, added, “Beyond the interesting material, this event also provided insights into how the mining industry can remain environmentally conscious while empowering local communities. I hope this program reaches other universities in Indonesia.”
The Harita Nickel Goes to Campus program is not limited to UGM but is also held at several other universities in Indonesia. Through this initiative, Harita Nickel seeks to promote responsible and sustainable mining practices while making meaningful contributions to the environment and local communities.
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