West Sumbawa, March 27, 2026 – In many places, food scraps and plastic waste are simply the end of a consumption story. However, within the operational area of one of Indonesia’s largest copper and gold mining companies, these remnants are being reimagined as economic assets. At Batu Hijau, West Sumbawa, PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMMAN) is transforming organic waste from employee kitchens and dining facilities into high-quality fish feed pellets.
By implementing community-based waste processing technology, AMMAN has partnered with residents from surrounding mining areas as local business partners to manage the production chain professionally. In this pellet production cycle, local community groups process food scraps into fish feed using specialized technology that includes grinding, nutrient mixing, and drying processes. The resulting pellets are then distributed to local fish farmers to sustain their livestock until harvest.
A Self-Sustaining Circular Loop
This innovation creates a highly efficient closed-loop ecosystem. The fish harvested from these community ponds are repurchased by AMMAN’s catering partners to be prepared as meals for employees. In essence, the food scraps from the employees' dining tables are processed by local hands into feed, converted into fish protein, and returned to the employees' tables as nutritious food.
“At AMMAN, we view waste management as an integral part of our environmental responsibility. This waste-to-value technological innovation, combined with community-based circular economy empowerment, is a tangible step toward sustainable mining operations,” said Kartika Octaviana, Vice President of Corporate Communications at AMMAN.
Government Appreciation and Collaboration
AMMAN’s initiative has received high praise from the local government. The Head of the West Sumbawa Environment Department (DLH), Aku Nur Rahmadin, S.Pd., M.M.Inov., noted that AMMAN’s consistency in prioritizing circular economy principles directly supports regional waste reduction targets.
“Innovations that include the reduction of industrial waste strengthen the government's efforts to realize a clean and sustainable West Sumbawa. This is perfectly aligned with the 7th Mission of the Regent and Vice Regent regarding Environmental Management,” stated Aku Nur Rahmadin.
Through this collaboration, waste is no longer seen as a final residue but as a continuous resource. The transformation of food waste into fish feed, which eventually returns as nutritious meals for employees, proves that sustainable mining operations can thrive alongside the economic independence of the West Sumbawa community.
