TRANSFORMATION OF FUEL USE

IN THE COUNTRY’S MINING INDUSTRY

Akhmad Maulana Putra Dewanto 12120029

“Mining is the art of exploiting mineral deposits at a profit. An unprofitable mine is fit only for the sepulcher of a dead mule.”

- T. A. Rickard.

Based on the discussion above, it can be said that mining is an activity of extracting mineral deposits of economic value. In the last few periods, the mining industry sector served as one of the strategic industries significantly contributing to the national economic development. The Directorate General of

Source: https://unsplash.com/

Mineral and Coal (Ditjen Minerba) of the Ministry of Energy and Human Resources (ESDM) records that the non-tax state income (PNBP) from Minerba sector for Non-Oil and Gas Natural Resources Income realization until 30 June 2022 is Rp36.3 trillion, second only to that from Oil and Gas and Crude Oil sector.

Bar Diagram for PNBP from SDA Sector in Semester I of 2022.

However, behind this benefit, the mining industry still has the poor stigma in the public “eyes” since in its operation the industry alters the nature landscape that it may harm the environment, such as deforestation and air pollution resulting from diesel fuel use in their mining equipment. The focus of this discussion is not on considering the good and the bad sides of this industry, rather it is on how we as the youth, thinkers, and pioneers can find the solutions regarding the dualism of mining industry.

“The green economy philosophy is about the balance between people’s economic welfare and social justice by continuing to mitigate the environmental and ecological damage risks” (Wanggai, 2012: 7).

Based on the citation above, the essence of green economy is that economic and environmental developments share a synergistic integration for a sustainable development. Basically, the term sustainable development means a development which focuses not only on current time, rather it also considers the impact in the future to allow future development to continue. The thought on green economy is a response to brown economy, a term referring to the activities causing environmental pollution such as gas emission.

One example of green economy application in mining industry is the shift in the fuel used in mining equipment to eco-friendly one, especially the electricitybased fuels, the realization of which is now being attempted by BUMN Holding Industri Pertambangan with its members consisting of PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, PT Bukit Asam Tbk, PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Inalum (Persero), and PT Timah Tbk through the Eco-Mechanized Mining (e-MM) program.

This Eco-Mechanized Mining (e-MM) is a program to convert oil-fueled mining equipment into electricity-based one. The mining equipment includes the ones used

Source: https://unsplash.com/ in excavation and transportation processes, as well as other supporting tools. This program is the starting point in proofing that Indonesia seriously supports the Net Zero Emission Indonesia 2060 program. The Corporate Secretary of PTBA, Apollonius Andwie says that Eco-Mechanized Mining (eMM) can save diesel fuel up to 7 million liters per year. It also allows a saving worth Rp47.7 billion per year.

This program gives the mining industry actors a “fresh air” since it gives them a shot to counter the bad stigma in the industry in relation to air pollution and energy efficiency. It is expected that this program can be a driving force for the application of green economy in Indonesia to achieve the country’s ideal in 2060. As youth, it is important for us to take part in promoting the sustainable development in our respective profession to be the face of green and prosperous future.

References:

Enim, P. T. B. A. T. T. (2022). Tekan emisi karbon, Ptba Dan Inka sepakat kembangkan Kendaraan tambang Berbasis Listrik: PT Bukit asam tbk. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.ptba.co.id/berita/tekanemisi-karbon-ptba-dan-inka-sepakat-kembangkankendaraan-tambang-berbasis-listrik-1412

Jakarta, P. T. B. A. T. (2022). Berkat Elektrifikasi Dan Digitalisasi, Ptba Bisa hemat Rp 58,4 miliar per Tahun: PT Bukit asam tbk. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://ptba.co.id/berita/berkat-elektrifikasidan-digitalisasi-ptba-bisa-hemat-rp-584-miliar-pertahun-1516

Puspasari, R. (2022). Siaran Pers: Realisasi PNBP Semester I -2022 Tumbuh Positif Seiring Kembalinya Kegiatan Ekonomi Masyarakat dan Kenaikan Harga Komoditas.

Kementerian Keuangan Republik Indonesia. Retrieved January 13, 2023, from https://www.kemenkeu.go.id/ informasi-publik/publikasi/siaran-pers/Siaran-PersRealisasi-PNBP-Semester-I-2022

Rickard, T. A. (1932). A history of American mining. McGrawHill.

Wanggai, Velix. (2012). Menuju Ekonomi Hijau, Artikel pada Jurnal Nasional, Jakarta, 28 Juni 2012

Yulianti, A. (2020.). Ekonomi Hijau (Green Economy) Untuk Mendukung Pembangunan Berkelanjutan di Provinsi Kepulauan Bangka Belitung. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://bappeda.babelprov.go.id/content/ ekonomi-hijau-green-economy-untuk-mendukungpembangunan-berkelanjutan-di-provinsikepulauan#:~:text=Filosofi%20ekonomi%20hijau%20 adalah%20adanya,ekonomi%20yang%20berbasis%20 pembangunan%20berkelanjutan

Contributor:

Wiba Nayaka Putranto

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