INALUM strengthens forest and land fire response in Kalimantan
Jakarta (ANTARA) - PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero), or INALUM, has strengthened efforts to tackle forest and land fires in Mempawah Regency, West Kalimantan, by deploying personnel and facilities in conjunction with the MIND ID Group.
INALUM President Director Melati Sarnita affirmed that the company’s involvement in fire response forms part of its social and environmental responsibility and reflects its care for surrounding communities.
“For INALUM, the company’s presence must bring benefits and a sense of security to the surrounding community. Therefore, when an emergency arises such as forest and land fires, we move together with all parties who have the competence and authority to help handle them. Collaboration is the key so that the response on the ground can proceed more quickly and effectively,” Melati said in an official statement in Jakarta on Monday.
Some 60 certified fire-fighting volunteers from the MIND ID Group were deployed to help control hotspots around the operational area of PT Borneo Alumina Indonesia (BAI).
BAI is a subsidiary of INALUM and PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM), which operates a smelter grade alumina refinery (SGAR) and its supporting facilities in the area.
Since 24 August 2026, INALUM and BAI, together with regional government, BNPB/BPBD, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), fire-fighting elements, volunteers and local residents, have been conducting control and extinguishing operations at a number of hotspots.
These efforts have been continuously reinforced because some of the affected areas are on peatland, which has special characteristics.
On peatland, fire can spread and persist beneath the surface, requiring continuous monitoring, sweeping and cooling to ensure the flames are fully extinguished.
President Director of PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (MIND ID) Maroef Sjamsoeddin directly coordinated the deployment of 60 certified fire-fighting personnel from the MIND ID Group on Friday (4/9).
The personnel are drawn from INALUM, ANTAM, PT Bukit Asam Tbk, PT Timah Tbk, PT Freeport Indonesia and PT Vale Indonesia Tbk.
Maroef said disaster response requires care and collaboration among many parties. The MIND ID Group’s presence is intended to help communities while strengthening control of the fires, which affect the environment and people’s social activities.
“This step is a form of our care for the environment and society. The presence of these MIND ID Group volunteers is part of a joint effort to accelerate the control of hotspots while helping to reduce the health risks and disruptions to daily activities faced by the community,” he said.
In addition to deploying personnel, the fire response has been reinforced through the provision of fire-fighting equipment, safety gear and medical support for volunteers and affected residents.
The support includes emergency health facilities, personal protective equipment and a fire engine added by PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero), or Pelindo.
Meanwhile, BAI President Director Darwin Saleh Siregar said tackling the fires in Mempawah requires no simple effort because some of the burning points are on peatland.
“Fire on peatland can spread and persist beneath the surface even after the flames above ground have been extinguished. This condition means the extinguishing process takes longer, requires an adequate water supply, and demands repeated sweeping and cooling to ensure the fire is truly out and does not re-emerge,” Darwin said.