Jakarta – Special Staff of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Irwandy Arif, said that the prospect of underground mining is now shining as a major trend in the future, reinforced by the decline in near-surface reserves. According to him, despite its high investment, the advantage of underground mining lies in its more controllable environmental risks than surface mining.
“Underground mining will become the dominant trend with fewer reserves near the surface. Although it has significant investment cost challenges, advanced technology and the availability of human resources provide opportunities to reduce environmental impact risks,” said Arif in a written statement on Tuesday, December 26.
According to him, the operational costs of underground mining are indeed higher due to ventilation, buffering, and other factors. However, Irwandy emphasised that technological innovation can cut costs, opening up great potential for the sustainability of underground mining.
“The cost of underground mining is greater than open pit mining, but with disruption technologies, some costs can be cut open,” Arif said.
Various factors are driving the development of underground mining in Indonesia. In addition to the depletion of high-grade deposits near the surface, the tightening of environmental regulations and restrictions on the mobility of mechanised equipment in open-pit mines are essential triggers.
Irwandy sees a bright future for underground mining in Indonesia in this context.
The underground coal sector also shows great potential. Areas such as the Barito and Asam-Asam Basins, Kutai, Tarakan Basins, and South Sumatra Basins have great potential, with millions of tons of coal.
Many companies, including PT Sumber Daya Energi and PT Merge Mining Industri, have inaugurated the first underground mine production. With 15 underground coal mining companies operating in Indonesia, such as CV Air Mata Emas, PT Nusa Alam Lestari, and PT Kusuma Raya Utama, it seems likely that the industry will play a key role in shaping a new paradigm in Indonesia’s mining sector, combining efficiency and sustainability. (Hartatik)
