Show Environmental Commitment, Weda Bay Nickel Rehabilitates 4.2 Thousand Hectare Catchment in North Maluku

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - The commitment to carry out responsible mining practices is demonstrated by Weda Bay Nickel. This commitment is reflected through environmental preservation, which is marked by its success in completing all Regional River Basin Rehabilitation (DAS) obligations in North Maluku Province. The total rehabilitation area reaches 4,140 hectares and has been declared successful by the Ministry of Forestry through the Directorate General of River Basin Management and Forest Rehabilitation (PDASRH).

Based on the results of the intensive evaluation of the Directorate General of PDASRH, all phases of DAS rehabilitation carried out by Weda Bay Nickel meet the success indicators in accordance with the Minister of LKH Regulation Number 23 of 2021. The percentage of plant growth is at least 95.16 percent of the initial planting amount, and the assessment results were accepted without additional notes.

"The rehabilitation of this watershed is not merely a fulfillment of regulatory obligations, but part of our long-term vision to ensure that mine operations are in line with ecosystem recovery," said Marudut Hutabalian, Forestry Permitting Supervisor at PT Weda Bay Nickel, in a statement in Jakarta, quoted Wednesday, January 28.

As the holder of the Forest Area Use Agreement (PPKH), Weda Bay Nickel has started to carry out the DAS Rehabilitation obligation since 2020. Marudut explained that the rehabilitation activities were carried out gradually in five regencies, namely Central Halmahera, West Halmahera, East Halmahera, South Halmahera, and North Halmahera.

"The series of rehabilitation is carried out comprehensively, starting from land inventory and preparation of technical designs, planting, to maintenance in the first and second years through cultivation, weed control, and fertilization," explained Marudut.

Marudut further explained the stages of rehabilitation implementation which was carried out gradually through several phases. The stages began from Phase 1 (2020) with an area of 1,075 hectares in Central Halmahera, Phase 2 (2022) with an area of 866 hectares in West and East Halmahera. Then Phase 3 (2024) with an area of 930 hectares in West Halmahera, Phase 4 (2024) with an area of 349 hectares in South Halmahera and Phase 5 (2025) with an area of 920 hectares in North Halmahera.

In its implementation, Marudut said, the Weda Bay Nickel planted a combination of forest wood plants and non-timber forest products (HHBK) plants. The types of wood plants planted include Nyatoh, Matoa, Gofasa, Gosale, Bintangur, Gmelina, Sea Sengon, and Trembesi. Meanwhile, the types of HHBK include productive plants such as Pala, Durian, Walnut, Jambu Mete, Duku, and Durian.

"The selection of HHBK plant types such as Pala and Durian is also aimed at ensuring that local people can reap the economic benefits of the forest in the future," said Marudut.

With the completion of this obligation, Weda Bay Nickel hopes that the hydrological and ecological functions of the DAS in North Maluku can return to optimal levels, as well as support national efforts in climate change mitigation through natural carbon absorption.