Freeport in Collaboration with Bamboo Foundation for Bamboo-Based Economy Development
11 September 2024
Labuan Bajo, 9 September 2024 – PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) in collaboration with Yayasan Bambu Lingkungan Lestari (YBLL) signed a collaboration agreement for innovative and sustainable economy development based on bamboo for Timika coastal community, Central Papua.
Vice President Director of PTFI, Jenpino Ngabdi and YBLL Chairperson, Monica Tanuhandaru signed the collaboration agreement in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara on Sunday (8/9).
Jenpino Ngabdi said, the collaboration is a form of PTFI support for community’s capacity building and sustainable development. "This collaboration confirms PTFI's commitment to implementing the mining operations responsibly and continue to provide sustainable added value for the environment and society," he said.
In its implementation, the Maria Bintang Laut Cooperative (KMBL) from the Timika Diocese as a PTFI partner will work together with YBLL in providing intensive training for the community for bamboo nurseries, planting and harvesting. After that, a demo plot planting will be carried out in Timika, for mentoring and monitoring activities in 3 pointed locations, namely Nayaro Village, Tipuka, and Ayuka, Mimika, Central Papua and several regions in Indonesia. Since 2006, KMBL and PTFI has been partnering to empowering local communities in the lowlands and Mimika coastal areas.
This collaboration is aimed to create an innovative and sustainable bamboo-based economy development model, support the local SDGs achievement, as well as be a role model of harmony between industry and environmental conservation.
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As is known, bamboo has unique characteristics, including a healthy clump can store 3,600 liters of water and absorb 3.33 tons of CO2 eq.
With a total usage up to 1,500, bamboo has a significant of economic potential to offer. Monica Tanuhandaru explained that the program is designed to train the community’s practical skills. “This program run through the piloting development model on the bamboo farming with the Bamboo Lestari Foreest methode that has been developed by YBLL in Timika, as well as to ensure the long-term sustainability through an advanced training on the bamboo utilization, ongoing maintenance and monitoring.” Monica said.
Along with the intensive training and bamboo planting, this collaboration will encompass an empowerment and gender equality program with a focus on participation by women in the training program and implementation.
PTFI together with the Mimika Regency government and local residents is endeavoring to accelerate mangrove ecosystem restoration in the Ajkwa River estuary area in Mimika by means of an Estuary Structure Program. Among others, the bamboo structure method serves to trap tailings sediment and form it into new land, which will be planted with mangroves.
The bamboo structure method captures and retains sediment using bamboo arranged into "E" or "T" forms, thus their E-Groin or T-Groin description. The estuary structure program engages 18 community groups consisting of members of the Kamoro Tribe who inhabit the lowland areas of Mimika Regency. From late 2022 through 2024, PTFI employed 200 native Kamoro Tribe members for this endeavor.
This program is expected to contribute to local economic growth, environmental conservation, carbon absorption, and developing and building community capacity to manage natural resources in a sustainable manner.
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