26 March 2023
Harita Nickel, a nickel mining and downstream company group, ensures its mining operations on Obi Island, South Halmahera, North Maluku, are running in compliance with Decree of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (KEPMEN ESDM) Number 1827 of 2018 concerning Guidelines for Implementation of Good Mining Engineering Rules.
Harita Nickel Corporate Affairs Manager Anie Rahmi said, Harita Nickel's mining on Obi Island starts from land clearing, stripping top soil, removing overburden, taking limonite ore to be processed at HPAL plant.
Harita Nickel processes with hydrometallurgical technology, saprolite ore extraction to be processed with pyrometallurgical technology, mine pit closure, reclamation and revegetation.
"We are the first company to carry out mineral conservation which means reducing leftover rocks to be utilized as mineral resources for electric car battery raw materials," Anie said in a written statement Sunday (3/26/2023).
Anie also explained that the entire Harita Nickel area on Obi Island that has been operating is currently located in the Forest Area, both Production Forest (HP) and Conversion Production Forest (HPK). He ensured that Harita holds a Land Use Forests Permit (PPKH) for each land clearing.
People who have cultivated are given rope for the land as well as compensation for growing plants (GRTT) in accordance with Decree of the South Halmahera Regency Government.
"And it is not true what is alleged that the company occupies land through repressive actions and intimidation to residents, but through a transparent process and favorable payments to the community," Anie explained.
Anie also emphasized that there was no discharge of nickel ore into the water sources of Kawasi residents which caused sedimentation. PT Trimegah Bangun Persada (PT TBP), a subsidiary of Harita Nickel, has been placing the remaining nickel processing products into the former mining pit (Dry Stack). Dry Stack is considered a safe and environmentally friendly method that meets national and international standards.
The remaining processing products are not placed in Toduku River or Akelamo River, but in ex-mining land (mine out) in its dry tailings form in accordance with the Technical Approval and Operational Feasibility Letter (SLO) from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).
Commencing operations in 2010, the company has obtained environmental permits and environmental management permits from the government. Later on November 17, 2020, the government designated Harita Nickel as a national strategic project.
"We also have obtained permits and technical approvals from the government for processing residuals or waste, where the residuals are initially controlled, and released to the environment in compliance with established quality standards, and periodically reported to the government," Anie said.
During its operation, the Company's waste management always receives regular inspections and supervision from the national, provincial and district governments.
The relevant government agencies for the environment and mining also conduct inspections and supervision from the national, provincial and district levels on the implementation of environmental monitoring and management activities.
The allegations of some parties that waste disposal pipes from the company's exploration activities allegedly lead to the sea, causing ecosystems and vulnerable fish to be contaminated with heavy metals are simply not true.
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