08 June 2024
Harita Nickel's successful nickel mining and downstream operations on Obi Island have received praise from academics at Universitas Padjajaran (UNPAD) in Bandung. Professor Mega Fatimah Rosana, a seasoned geology expert at UNPAD, has called the company's practices a model for others to emulate.
During a recent visit to the Obi site, Professor Mega and her colleagues, Dr. Boy Yoseph Cahya Sunan Sakti Syah Alam and Dr. Mochamad Candra Wirawan Arief, observed Harita Nickel's operations from extraction to processing.
Her praise is well-deserved. She believes Harita Nickel strictly follows regulations and shows a commitment to responsible mining practices, including nickel processing and water management, ensuring that discharged water meets environmental standards before reaching the sea.
“I believe Harita Nickel complies with regulations and meets all its environmental obligations. In fact, I would say what they have done exceeds their obligations,” she remarks.
Professor Mega praises Harita Nickel for its effective conservation of mineral resources. The company has turned low-grade limonite, which was once considered waste, into a valuable product using High-Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) methods.
“Even the waste from the nickel processing plant, in the form of slag, is repurposed into building materials. I’ve seen the quality of these structures firsthand; they are impressively sturdy,” she adds.
Beyond environmental considerations, she appreciates the company’s commitment to community welfare. Harita Nickel not only supports local government initiatives for regional development and improving residents' living standards but also provides essential facilities, including schools, places of worship, and shopping centers.
“The facilities in this new settlement are more than adequate. I observed that schools are running smoothly, and the local economy is thriving as residents get involved in trade,” she says, highlighting that Harita Nickel's approach could serve as a model for other companies.
The visit by the three UNPAD academics aimed to assess the company’s operations and reinforce its partnership with educational institutions, as well as engage with other stakeholders. During their visit, they also attended the Enviro Talk event, held in celebration of World Environment Day, where one of the participants, Mochamad Candra Wirawan Arief, Ph.D., served as a speaker. They also connected with UNPAD alumni working across various business units at Harita Nickel.
“My long and exhausting journey from Bandung to here was well worth it after witnessing the extraordinary activities of this company. Engaging with enthusiastic employees and reconnecting with alumni here has been truly rewarding,” she concludes.
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