07 June 2025
Working in the mining industry is not easy, especially when it involves environmental responsibility. For Bobby Loys Lengga, Environment Superintendent at PT Halmahera Jaya Feronikel (HJF), it means ensuring every process runs according to regulations, transparently, and accountably.
On a daily basis, Bobby handles often-overlooked matters, ranging from environmental documentation and monitoring water and air quality to waste management, as well as ensuring timely reporting obligations to the government. He is also involved in internal and external audits and oversees the implementation of critical documents, such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL), to ensure they are not just kept on paper.
“My job is not only to comply with regulations but also to ensure operations do not neglect social and environmental responsibilities,” said Bobby. He added that protecting the environment is not the task of a single division, but a collaboration involving many parties, from operations to top management.
Bobby began his educational journey in Environmental Engineering at Mulawarman University. His educational background serves as a strong foundation for understanding environmental issues from both technical and policy perspectives.
Before joining PT HJF, Bobby built his career at a coal mining company. That experience in the energy sector strengthened his understanding that each type of mining has unique environmental challenges that need to be managed preventively rather than reactively.
“We work in an industry; there will definitely be impacts. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be controlled,” he said. “The important thing is to know the risks, what the mitigation measures are, and take responsibility if something needs to be fixed.”
According to Bobby, the biggest challenge is not technical. Rather, building environmental awareness among fellow employees is more complicated. He said rules can be made, but if people are indifferent, nothing will work.
“Building a culture is difficult. But little by little it can be done, as long as it is consistent. Education must be ongoing,” he said.
He believes that continuous education and a persuasive approach are key to fostering a sense of ownership toward a sustainable working environment. For Bobby, working on Obi Island is not just about a career, but also about contributing to a region that is an important part of the eastern Indonesian ecosystem.
“We want to show that industry can also be part of the environmental solution, not just a source of problems,” he said.
He hopes that in the future, environmental awareness in the industrial sector will continue to increase. “I am optimistic, especially seeing the enthusiasm of the younger generation who are increasingly concerned about sustainability issues,” he concluded.
Go Top