· News, CSR and the Environment
Bukit Asam Uses Vetiver to Clean Acid Mine Water
Muara Enim, August 8, 2022 - Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) implements good mining practices to overcome negative impacts including cleaning the acid mine water to reduce environmental pollution. The Company uses a passive acid mine water management method or 'wetland' at Tanjung Enim Mining Unit at West Banko IUP, Air Laya IUP, and Muara Tiga Besar IUP.
To develop the wetland method in Banko Barat and Air Laya, PTBA has established strategic cooperation with IPB University and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK). This cooperation refers to the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number 5 of 2022 concerning Wastewater Treatment for Mining Business and/or Activities Using the Artificial Wetland Method; PTBA became the pilot project for the development of this constructed wetland method.
PTBA Environmental Management Unit has a unique way of purifying mine waste water by utilizing Vetiver plants which have the ability and high biomass to absorb heavy metal such as Fe (Iron) and Mn (Manganese).
"This method has been proven successful by monthly internal and external laboratory tests. The test results show that the wastewater has met the requirements of environmental quality standards," said PTBA Corporate Secretary, Apollonius Andwie.
Vetiver is a land plant that is tolerant of watery conditions. PTBA innovates by building floating wetland where the Vetiver can still optimally absorb heavy metals even though planted under watery conditions.
The constructed floating wetland acts as a planting medium so that the Vetiver can grow in the soil but the roots reach the acid mine drainage. The Vetiver plant absorbs heavy metal through the roots then accumulates it in its body. Periodically, the Vetiver is removed and destroyed.
Besides Vetiver, PTBA also plants Water Hyacinth, Kiambang, Ekor Tikus (Typha), Lonkida, and Echinodorus palifolius to reduce heavy metal levels in mining water.
"The water quality of the mine continues to be monitored by PTBA on a daily basis using the Sparing tool installed at the site. Parameters of water quality data are sent to the PTBA's Cisea application system in real time," added Andwie.
PTBA has ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management certification, thus the Company’s operational management related to the environment is in accordance with international standards.
To develop the wetland method in Banko Barat and Air Laya, PTBA has established strategic cooperation with IPB University and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK). This cooperation refers to the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number 5 of 2022 concerning Wastewater Treatment for Mining Business and/or Activities Using the Artificial Wetland Method; PTBA became the pilot project for the development of this constructed wetland method.
PTBA Environmental Management Unit has a unique way of purifying mine waste water by utilizing Vetiver plants which have the ability and high biomass to absorb heavy metal such as Fe (Iron) and Mn (Manganese).
"This method has been proven successful by monthly internal and external laboratory tests. The test results show that the wastewater has met the requirements of environmental quality standards," said PTBA Corporate Secretary, Apollonius Andwie.
Vetiver is a land plant that is tolerant of watery conditions. PTBA innovates by building floating wetland where the Vetiver can still optimally absorb heavy metals even though planted under watery conditions.
The constructed floating wetland acts as a planting medium so that the Vetiver can grow in the soil but the roots reach the acid mine drainage. The Vetiver plant absorbs heavy metal through the roots then accumulates it in its body. Periodically, the Vetiver is removed and destroyed.
Besides Vetiver, PTBA also plants Water Hyacinth, Kiambang, Ekor Tikus (Typha), Lonkida, and Echinodorus palifolius to reduce heavy metal levels in mining water.
"The water quality of the mine continues to be monitored by PTBA on a daily basis using the Sparing tool installed at the site. Parameters of water quality data are sent to the PTBA's Cisea application system in real time," added Andwie.
PTBA has ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management certification, thus the Company’s operational management related to the environment is in accordance with international standards.
