· News, CSR and the Environment
Greening Post-mining Land, PTBA Planted 500 Aren and Bamboo Seedlings in Sawahlunto
Sawahlunto, July 22, 2025 — PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) showed its commitment to environmental conservation and rehabilitation of post-mining land through planting aren and bamboo seedlings. This activity took place in Santur Village, Sawahlunto City, West Sumatra, as part of PTBA's Social and Environmental Responsibility (CSR) program in the Ombilin Mining Site Work Unit Area.
A total of 300 palm seedlings and 200 bamboo seedlings were distributed and planted together in the former mining area, which is now managed by a local farmer group under the leadership of Riki Ekoni. The land was previously part of PTBA's mining operations, and has now been transformed into a conservation and community empowerment space. This planting is not only an ecological rehabilitation step, but also a concrete form of the integration between environmental preservation and community economic strengthening.
The Mayor of Sawahlunto, Riyanda Putra, who attended the event, expressed his deep appreciation for PTBA's contribution. He said that Sawahlunto City, which is surrounded by hilly areas, requires the involvement of various parties, including corporations, in creative and sustainable land utilization. "For example, in Dusun Kayu Gadang, the post-mining area has been used as livestock farming and empowerment by farmer groups. Now, with PTBA's help, this area will also be developed into a conservation land by planting sugar palm and bamboo seedlings. Hopefully, what we plant today can provide long-term benefits for the community and future generations," he said.
Riki Ekoni, as head of the environmental activist group, explained that aren palm is not just a conservation tree, but also a multi-functional plant with a million benefits. "From the roots, fruit, palm fibers, to the trunk, all parts of the sugar palm tree have use value. Our target is that these seedlings can grow big and make this area an intact conservation forest. We are committed to protecting and caring for it," said Riki, representing the group and residents of Santur Village.
The program is designed not only to green the land, but also to support various aspects of sustainability. From an environmental perspective, aren palm and bamboo can prevent erosion, strengthen soil structure, sequester carbon, and maintain ecosystem balance. From an economic perspective, aren palm trees produce sap that can be processed into sugar. Meanwhile, bamboo has potential as a building material and handicrafts. This program also opens up new business opportunities for the surrounding community.
Through this activity, PTBA emphasizes that the company’s responsibility does not only stop at business activities, but also responsible for social, environmental and future aspects of the communities around the work area. By utilizing post-mining land into a new productive living space, PTBA hopes to be part of a sustainable solution for the people of Sawahlunto and the surrounding environment.
A total of 300 palm seedlings and 200 bamboo seedlings were distributed and planted together in the former mining area, which is now managed by a local farmer group under the leadership of Riki Ekoni. The land was previously part of PTBA's mining operations, and has now been transformed into a conservation and community empowerment space. This planting is not only an ecological rehabilitation step, but also a concrete form of the integration between environmental preservation and community economic strengthening.
The Mayor of Sawahlunto, Riyanda Putra, who attended the event, expressed his deep appreciation for PTBA's contribution. He said that Sawahlunto City, which is surrounded by hilly areas, requires the involvement of various parties, including corporations, in creative and sustainable land utilization. "For example, in Dusun Kayu Gadang, the post-mining area has been used as livestock farming and empowerment by farmer groups. Now, with PTBA's help, this area will also be developed into a conservation land by planting sugar palm and bamboo seedlings. Hopefully, what we plant today can provide long-term benefits for the community and future generations," he said.
Riki Ekoni, as head of the environmental activist group, explained that aren palm is not just a conservation tree, but also a multi-functional plant with a million benefits. "From the roots, fruit, palm fibers, to the trunk, all parts of the sugar palm tree have use value. Our target is that these seedlings can grow big and make this area an intact conservation forest. We are committed to protecting and caring for it," said Riki, representing the group and residents of Santur Village.
The program is designed not only to green the land, but also to support various aspects of sustainability. From an environmental perspective, aren palm and bamboo can prevent erosion, strengthen soil structure, sequester carbon, and maintain ecosystem balance. From an economic perspective, aren palm trees produce sap that can be processed into sugar. Meanwhile, bamboo has potential as a building material and handicrafts. This program also opens up new business opportunities for the surrounding community.
Through this activity, PTBA emphasizes that the company’s responsibility does not only stop at business activities, but also responsible for social, environmental and future aspects of the communities around the work area. By utilizing post-mining land into a new productive living space, PTBA hopes to be part of a sustainable solution for the people of Sawahlunto and the surrounding environment.
