Jakarta, November 4, 2013 - In line with the implementation of Law No 32 Year 2009 on the Environment Protection and Management, especially in the mining industry, the Minister of Environment, Prof. Dr. Balthasar Kambuaya, MBA visits PT ANTAM (Persero) Tbk (ASX:ATM; IDX: ANTM; ANTAM) Gold Mining Business Unit located in Pongkor, Nanggung District, Bogor Regency, West Java Province. The field trip to ANTAM is part of the implementation of supervisory duty of the Ministry, as well as to encourage environmental innovation, value creation and competitiveness. In terms of environmental management, mining companies are encouraged to observe the use of natural resources, non-toxic waste, community development and biodiversity conservation.
During the visit, the Minister of Environment is accompanied by the Deputy Minister on Environment Waste Control, MR. Karliansyah and the Deputy Minister on Toxic Management, Toxic Waste and Environment Waste, Rasio Ridho Sani. ANTAM's Operations Director, Tedy Badrujaman, welcomed the visiting party.
During the visit, the Minister of Environment also plants a tree at the Centre of Development Research and Education of Native Plants and Trees (P4TA), located in ANTAM's Pongkor gold mine. The Minister of Environment also releases a Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis Cheela) into the wild as one of the efforts to maintain the biodiversity of the Halimun Salak Mountain National Park. The Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis Cheela) is listed as a protective species in accordance with Law No. 5 Year 1990 on Conservation of Biodiversity and its Ecosystem and Government Regulations No. 7 and No. 8 Year 1999.
The Minister of Environment, Prof. Dr. Balthasar Kambuaya MBA said,
"Mining industry is encouraged to observe the 3P principles, namely People, Planet and Profit. Given the location of ANTAM's gold mine is close to the surrounding villages, ANTAM has a direct relationship with the surrounding communities and environment. Alongside financial profitability, ANTAM also has to develop the capacity and welfare of the surrounding communities as well as ensuring proper care of the local environment."
ANTAM's Operations Director, Tedy Badrujaman said,
"Through the Minister of Environment visit, we aim to showcase the implementation of good mining practices in ANTAM, focusing on pro-active participation in the environment management and improvement of local communities welfare alongside financial profitability."
During the visit, the Minister of Environment, together with journalists, visit the biodiversity management at P4TA as well as Pongkor underground gold mine.
