Indonesian Mining Sector Proves Waste Management Programs Support Environmental Sustainability
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Indonesian mining companies are demonstrating how operational areas can foster innovation for circular ecosystems that benefit environmental sustainability.
- The Minister of Environment highlighted the crucial role of businesses in adopting clean technologies and accelerating the circular economy to address environmental challenges.
- Several mining firms are implementing waste management programs that create added value for the environment, such as ANTAM's Smart Waste Bank and PTBA's Circular Agro program.
Indonesian mining companies are proving that their operational sites can become hubs for circular economy innovation, contributing to environmental sustainability. Minister of Environment Jumhur Hidayat emphasized the vital role of the business sector in promoting clean technology and accelerating the circular economy to tackle environmental issues. He stated that technology and innovation must be integral to real solutions supporting both industrial sustainability and the environment.
The International Environment Technology and Innovation Expo and Conference (Invirotech) 2026 serves as a platform to showcase how technology can solve pressing environmental problems. "Business has a crucial role in implementing clean technology, improving environmental compliance, and accelerating the circular economy," Jumhur said during the expo's opening in Jakarta. He stressed that developed technologies must offer tangible environmental benefits, helping industries meet their environmental obligations.
Several mining industry players are actively implementing waste management programs that go beyond mere compliance, focusing on creating added value. PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM), a member of MIND ID Group, runs the "Bank Sampah Pintar" (Smart Waste Bank) program. This initiative integrates community-based waste management, converting collected waste into savings, specifically "gold savings" in the form of precious metals. Organic waste is processed into valuable products like compost, kasgot, biocleaner, and maggot, with the program absorbing approximately 63 tons of inorganic waste in 2025, significantly reducing local waste.
Business has a crucial role in implementing clean technology, improving environmental compliance, and accelerating the circular economy.
Another MIND ID member, PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), operates the "Bara Agro Sirkular" (Circular Coal Agriculture) program. This program transforms unproductive land, previously used for illegal mining, into an integrated agricultural area. It employs the 9R concept and an integrated circular system, where waste from one activity becomes input for another. For instance, quail droppings are converted into organic fertilizer for plantations, and maggots from organic waste processing feed livestock and fish.
PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), also part of the MIND ID Group, has established the "Pusat Transformasi Bersama" (Joint Transformation Center). This recycling-based waste processing facility was built in collaboration with community foundations near its operational area in Gresik, East Java. The program processes wood and iron waste from its operations.
Technology must help industries meet their environmental obligations.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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