Bukit Asam allocates Rp230b for rehabilitation of ex-mining areas

By Samantha

President Director of State-owned coal miner PT Bukit Asam (PTBA) Tbk , Milawarma said that the company has allocated Rp230 billion for rehabilitation of former mining areas as the company wanted to be role model for the country?s resources-based firms to protect the environment.

?We commit to preserve the forest. We want to be a role model for other companies in restoring former mining area,? he told reporters on the sidelines of planting trees in river basin in Muara Enim, South Sumatra recently.

As of July 2012, the company has reclaimed 2,139ha of ex-mining area, representing about 46 percent of the company?s total area of its coal mining activities in Tanjung Enim.

The company has also conducted rehabilitation program on 3,660ha of areas located outside its concession.

For rehabilitation of forest the company planted productive trees such as Trembesi, Mahoni , Meranti, Sengon tree, Durian, Mango and Rambutan.

"For the swamp area we plant other suitable trees such as Mangroves," said Milawarma.

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora