KEM obtains ISO14001

East Kalimantan based gold miner PT Kelian Equatorial Mining (KEM) announced on Monday it had obtained environmental management system ISO14001 certification from DLIQ Pty Ltd of Australia.

KEM said the documentation for Environmental Management System (EMS) was finalised in 2001 and a certification audit against the ISO14001 standard was conducted in mid 2002.

?This EMS ISO 14001 certification is not only a recognition of our past achievements in environmental management but also a challenge for us to ensure continual improvement as we progress towards closure,? said Jan Andersen, Acting President Director PT KEM.

KEM has been undertaking the development and implementation of a site EMS over the last few years.

Meanwhile the company said the Mine Closure Steering Committee (MCSC) had worked towards and finalised options for most major closure aspects including environment, assets, dams & permanent structures and community development.

In 2001, KEM and Kutai Barat Government established MCSC representing major stakeholders, to provide for a responsible mine closure.

?The final closure plan will be discussed in the next MCSC meeting in February 2003 and endorsement by the MCSC will be sought in March 2003,? said Jan Andersen.

Kelian operates a gold mine with an annual output of 14 tonnes of gold and 12 tonnes of silver. Kelian employs about 900 permanent employees and 1000 contractors, mostly locally recruited. Kelian spends about Rp15 billion annually on community development programmes.

KEM, 90 percent owned by Rio Tinto, has since 1992 operated a gold mine in Kelian in West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan. (robert)