PTBA Tanjung Enim Mining Unit received four awards: the Aditama Award for Technical Management of Mineral and Coal Mining, Utama Award for Environmental Management in Mineral and Coal Mining, Utama Award for Mineral and Coal Conservation Management, and Utama Award for Management of Standardization and Business in Mineral and Coal Mining Services. Another award was the Pratama Award for Mineral and Coal Mining Environmental Management received by PTBA Tarahan Port Unit.
"With this award, the Government would like to show its appreciation to mining companies and mining service providers that have made efforts to implement good mining engineering principles," said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif.
According to Arifin, the mining industry is currently facing various challenges, including the demands for increasing transparency and accountability, environmental damage and global warming, energy transition, fluctuations in commodity prices, and increasingly limited reserves.
To face these challenges, the implementation of good mining engineering principles must continue to be strengthened. Mining engineering principles include technical and environmental aspects, such as Mining Technical Management, Mining Safety Management, Mining Environmental Management, Application of Mineral and Coal Conservation, and Standardization Management and Mineral and Coal Mining Services Business.
"By implementing good mining engineering principles, it is hoped that mining activities can be effective, efficient, safe and environmentally friendly," he said.
Meanwhile, Director of Operations & Production of PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) Suhedi expressed gratitude for the Government’s appreciation and emphasized PTBA's commitment to consistently implementing good mining practices.
"This appreciation motivates us to continue to improve the implementation of good mining engineering principles in every operational activity," said Suhedi.
According to Suhedi, good mining practices are one of the keys to achieving the Net Zero Emission target by 2060 set by the Government. Various efforts, including reclamation of ex-mining land, rehabilitation of river watersheds (DAS), electrification of mining equipment, and digitization of mining have been implemented by PTBA.
Good mining engineering principles are also an important part of sustainable development, as well as increasing contributions to national economic development.
"As a result, PTBA can continue to be energy sources provider for the development and social welfare improvement," said Suhedi.
The Achievement Award for Implementing Good Mining Engineering Principles is part of a series of events commemorating the 78th Mining and Energy Day on September 28, 2023.
