SIG Emphasises Designation of 31.64 Hectares of Mining Land as a Conservation Area
Leang Bulu Sipong 4 cave on Bulu Sipong Hill bears world’s oldest rock art, dating to around 44,000 years, depicting animal hunting scenes from the prehistoric era. The site’s existence evidences the commitment of PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (SIG) and PT Semen Tonasa to protecting global cultural heritage and sustainable development.
The cultural site Bulu Sipong 4 is located on PT Semen Tonasa’s kaolin mining land, in Bontoa Village, Minasatene District, Pangkep Regency, South Sulawesi. Based on a recommendation from SIG as the parent company, PT Semen Tonasa moved swiftly to designate Bulu Sipong’s area of 31.64 hectares, or 11.3% of the total mining land of 280 hectares, as a conservation area.
On 18 May 2018, PT Semen Tonasa inaugurated the Biodiversity Park (Kehati) and the Bulu Sipong Geopark to protect biodiversity in the mining area and the Geopark and archaeological zone. Bulu Sipong 4, as one of the geosites within Geopark Maros-Pangkep, was subsequently officially included in UNESCO Global Geopark list following the UNESCO Executive Board meeting No. 216 in Paris in 2023.
Corporate Secretary of SIG, Vita Mahreyni, said that designating Bulu Sipong as a conservation area demonstrates SIG and PT Semen Tonasa’s commitment to sustainability that balances industry with environment and cultural values. Bulu Sipong is expected to serve as an educational medium and help promote the history and culture of this civilisation to the broader public.
“The company also collaborates with the LPPM Hasanuddin University to release the Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the Bulu Sipong 4 prehistoric site. The document functions as a guide for managing the company’s cultural heritage, including Bulu Sipong, a protected site, ensuring sustainable and well-managed preservation of the cultural values,” Vita Mahreyni said.
Additionally, in managing Bulu Sipong, PT Semen Tonasa works with the Balai Pelestarian Kebudayaan (BPK) Region XIX, among other activities, to monitor vibrations and ambient air regularly, the concreting of 1,800 metres of road, and regular watering of the mine roads to reduce dust. The company also educates employees and surrounding communities on the importance of preserving the prehistoric site, installs signs and access restrictions with a 1,900-metre fence, and carries out revegetation in the conservation area.