MIND ID Recycles Over 1 Million Tonnes of Residual Material
A structured waste management system is vital because, in mining operations, the greatest risk is not merely the volume of waste, but the potential breakdown in the management chain, stated Eko Adhi Setiawan, an Energy Expert from the Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Universitas Indonesia.
This strategic move has driven an 11.3 per cent year-on-year decrease in solid waste generation. According to the MIND ID 2025 Sustainability Report, 82,876 tonnes of hazardous and toxic waste (B3) and 946,733 tonnes of non-hazardous solid waste were diverted from landfills through various reuse schemes. The total amount of waste material utilised throughout the year exceeded 1 million tonnes.
As the utilisation of waste material increased, the total solid waste generation of the MIND ID Group fell from 1,306,835.91 tonnes in 2024 to 1,159,049.16 tonnes in 2025. This reduction occurred across two main categories: hazardous waste decreased from 270,478.08 tonnes to 208,441.10 tonnes, while non-hazardous waste dropped from 1,036,357.83 tonnes to 950,608.06 tonnes.
This downward trend in waste generation has remained consistent over the last three years, falling from 1,396,034.05 tonnes in 2023 and 1,306,835.91 tonnes in 2024.
In addition to solid waste, the report noted that hazardous liquid waste amounted to 4,764.52 tonnes in 2025, comprising used oil, waste oil, oil sludge, used diesel, used grease, and expired chemicals. Eko noted that these achievements demonstrate the importance of a structured waste management system as a foundation for good mining practices.
According to Eko, every type of waste—whether hazardous, liquid, process residue, sludge, used oil, chemical packaging, or large volumes of non-hazardous waste—requires a clear management trail. This trail must encompass the waste’s origin, storage, transport, processing, and final disposal evidence.
He added that the approach to utilising waste material shows that waste management is no longer solely focused on final disposal, but is moving towards optimising materials that still hold economic value. “Waste is not only viewed as a toxicity issue that must be secured, but also as a material stream that needs to be classified,” he said.
Eko argued that classification is necessary to distinguish between materials that must be strictly controlled, those that can be reused, recycled, or recovered, and those that must truly be disposed of as a last resort. This approach is reflected in various initiatives by MIND ID member entities to support the circular economy.
For instance, PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM) utilises nickel slag from pyrometallurgy processes as construction material for Pomalaa Beton (POTON) for road base, yard base, and internal construction needs. ANTAM also processes gold tailings into Green Fine Aggregate (GMA), while Fly Ash and Bottom Ash (FABA) is used alongside nickel slag as raw material for Pomalaa Beton.
At PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (INALUM), internal scrap from the aluminium smelting and casting process is reused to support production, helping to reduce the need for primary raw materials such as alumina. Meanwhile, PT TIMAH Tbk manages Processing Residues (SHP) using physical methods such as gravity, magnetism, and electrical conductivity. In 2025, SHP reached 1,506.06 tonnes of ore, with potential for further recovery through advanced processes (tin gain).
“Some waste materials can have value as secondary raw materials, material substitutes, or inputs for other industries,” concluded Eko.