PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM), holder of the seventh-generation Contract of Work permit from 1998 for mineral exploration activities in the Hu’u area, Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province, is highly committed to environmental preservation. This commitment is demonstrated through an integrated waste management system around its working areas. Waste management is an inseparable part of STM’s exploration activities.
The handling of hazardous and toxic (B3) waste is governed by the environmental permit document issued by Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Furthermore, STM places significant emphasis on the management of non-hazardous or domestic waste. The company is dedicated to the implementation of a zero-waste concept within and around its areas. To achieve this, STM has formed strategic partnerships with three business contractors to handle waste and trash.
STM has formed a partnership with CV Diaz, a local company based in Dompu Regency, to oversee the management of non-hazardous or domestic waste. Meanwhile, the management of hazardous (B3) waste is outsourced to two national-scale contractors, PT Prasada Pamuna Limbah Industri (PPLI) and PT Anugrah Mandiri Jaya Energi (AMJE). The selection of multiple partners is designed to optimize waste management at STM. Furthermore, the temporary storage of waste at STM’s operational area is limited to 90 days, necessitating careful and measured handling.
As stated by Arizal Ardiansyah, an STM Environment team member, the majority of STM’s B3 waste is currently comprised of used oil. This waste is generated from STM’s exploration activities, including drilling, the use of heavy equipment, helicopters, passenger vehicles, and other supporting tools such as generators. Additionally, absorbents, such as cloth rags, are implemented to remove residual oil and other B3 substances. “If not managed correctly, B3 waste can have a detrimental impact on the environment, potentially contaminating water and soil,” he explained.
STM has obtained government approval for its operations that produce B3 waste. It is a requirement that contractors managing this waste hold the necessary permits. These permits cover all aspects of waste management, including transportation, utilization, storage, and disposal practices. For instance, in the context of waste transportation, vehicles must be equipped with electronic manifests and location tracking capabilities. All stages of the process, up to and including waste disposal, are subject to rigorous monitoring to ensure process safety. Upon completion of the waste disposal process, a certificate is issued to confirm that all necessary steps have been fulfilled.
In addition, comprehensive supervision is also carried out in the management of non-hazardous (non-B3) waste. It is the responsibility of every employee at STM to ensure proper waste disposal and sorting by type. Maintaining a clean work environment is a fundamental aspect of sustainable mining practices. Consequently, waste bins labelled by type are provided in every room and office for the convenient sorting of waste.
On a daily basis, waste is collected by third-party personnel who have been appointed for this specific task. Domestic waste is collected at an Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPST), which is situated within the STM operational area. Subsequently, the waste is subjected to further classification based on its type and color. Organic waste is processed into compost, with some being sent to the Dompu Regency landfill (TPA). The integrated waste processing by STM has the effect of reducing the amount of waste sent to the landfill. The sorting of waste by type and color allows for the recycling process and economic value to be considered. “This waste is sold to recycling banks or secondhand goods collectors,” Arizal explained.
This integrated waste management approach is a key component of the company’s commitment to upholding sustainability values for the surrounding ecosystem. The protection of water, air, flora, and fauna is in line with the Environmental Management and Monitoring Efforts (UKL-UPL) that were established prior to the commencement of operations. These efforts are designed to ensure the implementation of environmentally-conscious mining operations.
A series of monitoring and testing procedures are conducted on river water, groundwater, wells, and air quality. These tests, conducted by accredited laboratories, are designed to detect any degradation or changes in environmental quality. The results are communicated to the government in the form of environmental document implementation reports. STM utilizes three laboratories for testing purposes: the primary laboratory, which covers all monitoring points; a second laboratory for comparative analysis; and a government laboratory to validate STM’s data.
The objective of this layered testing is to guarantee the accuracy of the environmental management research findings, thus providing a reliable foundation for informed decision-making. “The monitoring results demonstrate that all environmental parameters, including soil, water, and air, remain in optimal condition,” Arizal concluded.
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