Reported by Ahmad Dyandra Rama Putra Bagaskara
[Unpad Media Channel] Director of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) from PT Harita Nickel, Ir. Tonny Gultom, IPU., ASEAN., Eng., said that recently, Indonesia had become the world’s largest nickel producer. Therefore, Indonesia was a sought-after nickel source for electronics production.
“Developed countries, (such as) America and Europe, will take a look at our country. Therefore, I say that Indonesia is attracting global attention. If we talk about the electric car, (they) will need the raw materials from us,” said Tonny in the public lecture titled “The Dynamics of the Nickel Industry in the Sustainability Era: Challenges, Opportunities, and Career Prospects” at Bale Sawala, Unpad Rectorate Building, Jatinangor, Friday (15/12/2023).
As Tonny said, the distribution of nickel reserves in Indonesia is mainly located in the eastern region, starting from Sulawesi, Maluku, to Papua. “University students from eastern Indonesia must be proud because nickel only exists in East Indonesia. Moreover, in Southeast Sulawesi, it is a nickel storage,” said Tonny.
It is an ample opportunity for Indonesia to keep improving its nickel production. For that reason, the production of mining, such as nickel, can enhance regional and national economic growth.
“This (nickel refining) is the economic catalyst from the east. The largest recent economic growth is in North Maluku. The biggest contribution (in economy) in North Maluku, one of them, is the refining of this (nickel). It contributes to the province supporting the Republic of Indonesia,” stated Tonny.
Besides, Tonny explained that the nickel mining process needed to consider other aspects. This is required to ensure that the nickel mining process does not disrupt sustainable development. One aspect that must be considered is the environmental aspect.
“Our obligation is, once the land has been fully mined, it must be reclaimed,” he added.
Meanwhile, Community Affairs General Manager PT Harita Nickel, Latif Supriadi, said that aside from the environmental aspect, the social aspect also needed to be considered by the company. Thus, all mining companies, including PT Harita Nickel, have a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program to help and empower the community around the mine.
“There (the nickel mining area of Obi Island), we also engage in the development of SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises). Then, there is free medical treatment, and we also provide a sea ambulance. In (field of) education, we also provide school,” said Latif.
The public lecture which is held in collaboration between the Career Development Center Unpad and PT. Harita Nickel is opened by the Director of Student Affairs and Alumni Relations, Dr. Eng. Boy Yoseph Cahya Sunan Sakti Syah Alam, M.T. In his speech, Boy said that the public lecture benefited Unpad students. He believed that this public lecture could broaden the perspectives of Unpad students related to how it felt to work in the mining industry. (art/SA)*
