Downstreaming of Coal Supports Food Security, Raises Productivity of Farmers

MIND ID or Mining Industry Indonesia, the Holding State-Owned Enterprise for the Mining Industry, through its member, PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), has again provided evidence of added value from coal mining.

Based on reseach with the Gadjah Mada University (UGM), the MIND ID Group presented an innovation of potassium humate product which is able to raise the productivity of agriculture by up to 30%, while at the same time, support the government’s program in national food self-sufficiency.

MIND ID President Director, Maroef Sjamsoeddin, stressed that this innovation is real evidence of how mineral resource in Indonesia can be processed for various needs in building civilization, including responding to food sector challenges.

Through this potassium humate innovation, the MIND ID Group contributes in raising harvest results while at the same time, reducing the dependency of farmers on chemical fertilizer.

“This reflects the concrete contribution of the MIND ID Group in providing greater benefits for the nation. This coal downstreaming effort can directly provide positive impact to the welfare of people, including farmers,” he said.

The potassium humate product is the result of the downstreaming of low calorie coal from Peranap IUP owned by PTBA, which was then processed to become biofertilizer and soil conditioner.

The research collaboration with UGM, which began since 2023, has given birth to the potassium humate pilot project production with a capacity of up to 144 tons per year.

Maroef, together with all MIND ID Group Board of Directors, also attended the potassium humate pilot project launch at the UGM Technical Faculty, Thursday (21/8). This has become one of the important milestones of the MIND ID Group in building the sustainable downstreaming and high competitive value of mining products.

Maroef added that with the increased production, the joint efforts in strengthening food security can be realilzed.

Farmers can also get assurance of domestic fertilizer supply and in future, they can hopefully enjoy raised income and welfare.

The MIND ID group will also continue to create added value from Indonesian mineral resources to build civilization in its efforts towards the future Golden Indonesia 2045.

“Our commitment is clear, downstreaming efforts must be able to provide wider benefits for the nation, in line with the Asta Cita of the government in boosting, strengthening of industrialization, energy security, to supporting food self-sufficiency,” Maroef concluded.

At the same opportunity, UGM Rector Ova Emilia, appreciates the courage of the MIND ID Group in making the University as a place to develop and research this potassium humate production.

“In research, the results and time frame are not always certain, and we appreciate this courage, I believe that at the end, the results can be enjoyed by everyone,” she said.