Batu Hijau is a 21st century mine that adopts a new paradigm
Batu Hijau is a 21st century mine that adopts a new paradigm in environmental management and social responsibility. Batu Hijau Mine is committed to environmental stewardship in all aspects of its operations starting from exploration, production and even future closure.
When conducting an exploration activity, PT NNT uses technologies and procedures that are designed to minimize impacts to the environment.," said Phil Brumit, General Manager Operations PT NNT.. Drilling activities in a forest area, for an example, are carefully planned to ensure that only small portions of the forest are cleared for drill rig pads.
Drilling equipment are transported by helicopter therefore land access that usually involves land clearing is minimized. When an exploration project completes, the affected area will be immediately rehabilitated and planted with tress.
When PT NNT's exploration project at Batu Hijau prospect was successful, it was followed by a feasibility study which assessed whether the deposit was economically and technically feasible and more importantly environmentally feasible. This study needed to be approved by the Government of Indonesia before further steps could be taken.
Andal Study
Once it was approved, the company then conducted an integrated environmental impact study or Amdal to identify potential environmental and social impacts of the projects and designed management plans to minimize those predicted impacts in a document called RKL and RPL. The Amdal, RKL and RPL were approved and implemented by PT NNT right from the construction of the project in 1997 and throughout the life of the mine.
During operation, , PT NNT implements the environmental management and monitoring plans as described in Amdal study and reported the performance to the Governments.
Community Development
On the social aspects, PT NNT is committed to maximize the positive impacts of its operation through various programs that benefit local community. These include local recruitment policy, local business initiative and local community development. Through these programs, local communities receive the highest benefits and values from the mine.
PT NNT's performance in environmental management and community programs are communicated openly and transparently to the public through an annual report 'Now & Beyond'. Plus, public is given full access to PT NNT's operational site for them to check and assess the operation. In additional to mandatory inspection by Government Inspectors, the provincial government of West Nusa Tenggara has also established an Independent Team to monitor and study PT NNT's operation to ensure that positive impacts are maximized and negative impacts are minimized.
Photo Captions: 1. Reclamed lands in mine area and (insert) an employee of PTNNT's environmental development is recording the growth of seedlings. 2. The community enjoys the benefits of clean water suppply program.