Landslides Occurred In The Coal Mining Of PT SPP Bunyu, Luckily There Were No Casualties

The landslide incident in the coal mining area belonging to PT Saka Putra Perkasa (SPP) (photo: screenshot)

TANJUNG SELOR A landslide incident in the coal mining area belonging to PT Saka Putra Perkasa (SPP) in Bunyu Barat Village, Bunyu District, Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan, went viral on social media after a one-minute video showed a landslide that damaged a number of mining facilities.

Kapolresta Bulungan, Kombes Pol Rofikoh Yunianto, confirmed the incident and stated that the incident occurred on Sunday 6 April at around 13.30 WITA.

"I have received a report from the Bunyu Police Chief, AKP Arsya, that the landslide occurred at the site of a coal mine owned by PT SPP," Kombes Rofikoh told reporters, Monday, April 7.

Based on initial information from the company represented by Sugeng as the Operational Responsible (PJO) of PT SPP, when the mine site was not operating.

At the time of the incident, the mining area was quiet, there were no work activities. Luckily there were no casualties," said Rofikoh.

He added that the weather conditions at that time were drizzling, and most of the employees were still on holiday in the framework of Eid al-Fitr 1446 H. Even the Head of Mining Engineering (KTT) is also on leave and plans to be questioned in the near future.

Operational History Of PT SPP And Environmental Highlights

PT SPP had stopped its operational activities on Bunyu Island since 2022, although its mining concession permit which covers an area of 728.59 hectares is still active until 2026.

This company had previously been in the public spotlight due to the breakdown of the mining waste embankment in 2022 and 2023 which caused protests from local residents.

This latest landslide incident has again raised concerns about environmental conditions in mining areas that are no longer active but still have potential damage risks.

Until now, the police are still investigating by asking for additional information from related parties, including the PT SPP Summit.

"Investigation will continue to be carried out to determine the causes of landslides and further steps to prevent similar incidents in the future," concluded Kombes Rofikoh.