AMMAN Reclamation Initiatives: Bridging Environment and Economy

West Sumbawa, 26 September 2024 - As a seed grower in Tongo, a village on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa, Budi Iswanto never imagined that his business would play a pivotal role in preserving the environment and boosting the welfare of his community.

Several years ago, Budi and his group founded a nursery for plants native to their location, adjacent to the Batu Hijau copper-and-gold mine. They cultivated several species, including Merbau, mahogany, candlenut, sugar palm, and rattan. Budi and his colleagues have grown 26 plant species in the nursery. 

This project has grown to become a key component of the reclamation program of PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMMAN), which owns and operates Batu Hijau. “So far, we have supplied around 145,000 native plant seedlings for the reclamation area. Just last year, we delivered 98,000 seedlings of various plants. This represents our collective hard work, which has certainly had a positive impact on all of us,” said Budi.

One of the most significant impacts of this nursery is the creation of job opportunities for the residents of Tongo. Not only does Budi benefit from this enterprise, but at least 20 others, mostly housewives, are also actively involved in the seed preparation process, providing their families with additional income.

“This job provides extra income for our neighbors. They can contribute to their family’s economy while staying close to home. This is how the green economy should work, improving community welfare and protecting the environment,” added Budi.

AMMAN has also partnered with Elizabeth Najib, who manages a nursery similar to the one in the nearby village of Sekongkang. In working with these two local community nurseries, AMMAN is positively contributing to environmental sustainability through mining reclamation while improving the economic welfare of surrounding communities.

Community input to mine reclamation is not limited to nurseries. Other small businesses produce coconut mats, ‘coconet’, and bundles of sugar palm fiber to protect reclaimed land from erosion, particularly on steep slopes.

AMMAN partners with two primary suppliers in the districts of Maluk and Taliwang, employing more than 60 local residents. Each year, the reclamation area requires 7,000 rolls of coconet, or about 180 rolls per hectare.

AMMAN Senior Manager of Corporate Communications Dinar Puja Ginanjar stated that the empowerment programs involving local communities have shown positive results.

“AMMAN continuously supports programs that empower communities around the mine. In addition to the nurseries, we are implementing initiatives such as sugar palm planting, water-source conservation, conservation of marine areas such as Gili Balu, and mangrove planting. All these efforts are aimed at preserving the environment surrounding the mine,” explained Dinar.

For Budi and the people of Tongo, participating in mine reclamation is not just a job; it is a step towards a greener and more prosperous future. With the nursery's ongoing development and support from AMMAN, Budi is optimistic that this collaboration will continue to benefit future generations.

“This reclamation is not just about planting trees; it’s about sowing hope for the future. We hope to continue contributing and see Tongo thrive as a green and prosperous community,” Budi concluded with open enthusiasm. 

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) presented AMMAN with the Subroto Award 2023 in recognition of the community nursery initiative's positive impact on the local economy.