29 October 2024
Harita Nickel once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting sustainable energy transition through the Harita Nickel Goes To Campus (HGTC) initiative. This time, Harita Nickel collaborated with the National Institute of Technology (ITENAS) in Bandung to organize a public lecture titled “Nickel and the Future of the Global Industry and Sustainable Energy Transition.” Held at the ITENAS Bale Dayang Sumbi Auditorium, the event on Friday (25/10) provided an important opportunity for ITENAS students to gain direct insights from experts on the nickel industry and sustainable practices.
The event was attended by over 500 students from various programs at ITENAS, demonstrating high enthusiasm for the topics of sustainability and the nickel mining industry. ITENAS Rector, Prof. Meilinda Nurbanasari, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., opened the event by warmly welcoming Harita Nickel and the students. She reminded students to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from the speakers’ experiences, preparing them better for the challenges they may face in the industry after graduation. “Events like these are crucial for helping students understand industry needs and adapt quickly,” Prof. Meilinda expressed.
The event featured experienced speakers from Harita Nickel, including Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Director Tonny Gultom, Head of External Relations Latif Supriadi, Deputy Head of HSE Iwan Syahroni, and Sustainability Senior Specialist Nisa Vidya Yuniarti. ITENAS also contributed with Environmental Engineering Professor Etih Hartati, M.T., who played a key role in discussing the challenges and solutions for sustainability in nickel mining.
In his presentation, Tonny Gultom explained Harita Nickel’s commitment to developing a sustainable nickel industry. “We are not only engaged in mining activities but also in building processing plants. This is one of Harita’s commitments to creating a sustainable mining operation. We process our mined materials domestically, thus creating downstream economic value, job opportunities, and ultimately supporting community welfare. That’s what we call sustainable mining,” said Tonny.
Tonny also emphasized that Harita Nickel’s sustainability efforts focus not only on economic gain but also on social and environmental impact. The company maintain environmental balance on Obi Island, North Maluku, and to support local community development through various empowerment programs. “We want to ensure that our mining activities benefit the surrounding community while keeping the environment intact,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Professor Etih provided an in-depth academic perspective on the challenges of preserving the environment amidst the demand for nickel mining. She highlighted that open-pit mining, commonly used in nickel extraction, can significantly impact ecosystems. “We must consider the environmental impact of mining activities. Therefore, environmentally friendly technology is essential to minimize these impacts,” she said.
Students were eager to engage in discussions and Q&A sessions with the speakers, with several expressing strong interest in sustainability topics and career opportunities in the nickel mining industry. Salsabilla, a 2022 Environmental Engineering student, stated that HGTC was very beneficial for her. “I gained deeper insight into sustainable environmental management conducted by Harita Nickel. I hope Harita continues to grow and makes innovations that contribute to the nation,” she shared.
This event served as a real-life example of how collaboration between industry and academia can create new opportunities and raising awareness of nickel’s importance in sustainable energy transition. By involving young generations in sustainability discussions, Harita Nickel contributes to creating a more efficient and responsible future for the industry.
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