Antam completes mining closure program in Cilacap

State mining firm PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) has completed mining closure program at its iron sands mine in Cilacap, Central Java after extracting its reserves for more than three decades.

The firm started mining activities there in 1970 and ceased the actvities in 2003. Since then, the firm carried out mining closure program, that includes reclamation of the area.

A ceremony was held on Tuesday in Cilacap to mark the end of the mining closure program. Present at the ceremony were officials from Antam, Cilacap regency and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

?Antam is committed to deliver maximum benefits from the start of our mining operations until the mine closure and post-mining activity to our stakeholders.

"Our mine closure and post-mining activity at Cilacap reflects our professionalism and responsibility in the implementation of good corporate governance principles and good mining practices. The closure Is part of our efforts on corporate sustainability as well as the sustainability of community development and environmental preservation,? Antam?s president director Alwin Syah Loebis said.

Director General of Mineral, Coal and Geothermal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bambang Setiawan praised Antam for the mining closure program. ?Antam?s reclamation program on former iron sands mine site at Cilacap will contribute positively to the surrounding communities. Antam?s good mining practice at Cilacap is an exemplary practice for other mining companies.?

The Cilacap mine commenced operation in 1970 with President Soeharto inaugurating the operation on June 10, 1971. At the beginning, annual production of 300,000 tons were exported to Japan. Since 1978, Antam sold its iron sands to local cement factories.

Antam ceased mining operation activity in Cilacap in 2003 as the reserves became fully depleted.

After that, Antam launched the Mine Closure Plan (MCP),w which includes labor management, asset management, environmental monitoring, reclamation and revegetation, as well as community development programs in education, religious, health and public infrastructures.

The MCP was audited by the Center of Environmental Research of Semarang's University of Diponegoro in 2009 and was acknowledged by the Cilacap government in early 2010

As part of the mine closure program, Antam rehabilitated 422.8 hectares of lands, assisted the development of rice and horticultural farming of watermelon, string beans, chili pepper, cassava, eggplant, soybean and groundnut at Cilacap.

It contributed capital loan assistance of Rp l.2 billion to the local community through the Partnership Program from 2005 to 2009. Through this program, Antam assisted 48 partners. Antam also spent Rp l.5 billion on community development programs. (kanti/romel)