Some of the company’s energy efficiency initiatives have reduced carbon gas emissions
Sumbawa, May 2023: PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM), the owner of Contract of Work of the Hu’u Project in Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, is implementing energy efficiency management as part of its commitment to sustainable mining practices. PT STM recognizes the importance of environmental management and monitoring efforts to maintain a balanced ecosystem around the exploration area.
President Director of PT STM, Bede Evans said that any development, for whatever purpose, will potentially have impacts on the environment. PT STM is therefore committed to ensuring that work at the Hu’u Project is carried out to high environmental standards.
“We see ourselves as part of the community and as contributors to progress and prosperity. Our consistent efforts to protect the environment around our exploration areas demonstrate the high priority we place on responsible and sustainable mining practices,” said Bede Evans.
Among the energy efficiency management strategies that PT STM has implemented include the use of solar panels for supplementary power sources and replacement of lamp types for lighting efficiency. In its energy efficiency efforts, the company noted that PT STM’s use of solar panels has reduced carbon emissions by 75 tons of CO2eq.
Evans said that although PT STM’s activities at the moment are still limited to exploration and mining activities, the company’s energy efficiency efforts have been implemented.
Water Management and Air Quality
Meanwhile, to maintain surface water quality, PT STM has taken various measures including strict monitoring of water usage. Every three months, various tests are conducted at 38 separate surface water, groundwater and seawater locations to determine the water quality at these test points. Water quality monitoring, testing and analysis are conducted by independent and accredited laboratories.
PT STM also runs a Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) and the fuel storage site, effluent storage site, and generator site are protected by impermeable barriers to safeguard the surrounding areas from contamination. While these measures are in line with a comprehensive approach to maintaining water quality, a long-term assessment of the Hu’u Project’s water vulnerability was also conducted and this will inform the development of a more in-depth clean water support program.
In terms of air quality management and monitoring, PT STM has undertaken several measures such as irrigating the helipad area, routinely maintaining emissions from operational equipment and vehicles, and undertaking necessary dust abatement measures. PT STM also regularly monitors and measures the concentration of air pollutants such as heavy metals and particulate matter generated by exploration activities to maintain air quality in accordance with recognized environmental standards.
The native flora and fauna of the Hu’u Project are also important for their benefits to the local community. To ensure minimal impacts of mining activities on flora and fauna, PT STM has a rigorous program to mitigate the impacts of land clearing and reclamation by preserving topsoil during these activities and using the preserved topsoil as part of the revegetation process. The success of soil rehabilitation and revegetation is constantly monitored, including the use of surveillance cameras within rehabilitation areas to ensure activities do not impact animal life in the project area.
Evans said, “As we plan to develop the Hu’u Project into a world-class copper mine, we recognize the need to apply strict environmental measures and standards in all that we do. This includes applying best practices and doing the things we should be doing, even if they are not required by law. We are grateful that our efforts to protect the environment at the Hu’u Project have been recognized by relevant agencies such as the West Nusa Tenggara Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, the Dompu Environmental Agency, and the Bima Environmental Agency.”
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About PT Sumbawa Timur Mining – PT STM
PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM) is a joint venture between Eastern Star Resources Pty Ltd (80%), a subsidiary of Vale SA, and PT Antam Tbk (20%). Established in 1998, STM manages the Hu’u Project through a 7th generation Contract of Work (CoW) in Hu’u District, Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The KK area is 19,260 hectares, covering Dompu Regency and Bima Regency. Currently, PT STM is conducting mineral exploration activities to realize a world-class copper mine powered by renewable energy.
For further information, please contact Sumbawa Timur Mining Team