Antam, SMG & TNGHS Implement Next Step To Build Halimun-Salak Mountain National Park Biodiversity Conservation Centre

 

Jakarta, July 26, 2012 - New business models are providing creative solutions to ecological problems in Gunung Halimun Salak National Park. PT ANTAM (Persero) Tbk (Antam; ASX – ATM; IDX – ANTM) are working with The Sustainable Management Group (SMG) and Gunung Halimun Salak National Park (TNGHS) to develop a Biodiversity Conservation Centre that will help protect endangered habitat.

Antam's President Director, Alwinsyah Lubis, said: "We are committed to preserve Indonesia's flora and fauna, especially in our surrounding operation areas. Our operation in Pongkor allows us to provide further contribution for the preservation programs. It is part of our mission to minimize the impact of mining operations to the local habitat and biodiversity through proper enviromental management and implementation of good mining practices."

Antam and SMG are working together with the management of Gunung Halimun Salak National Park to develop a Masterplan Biodiversity Conservation Centre for the whole area of the National Park. This week SMG have just completed aerial, ground and river surveys to determine the location of the demonstration plot and futureecotourism developments within the park.

David Makes, Chairman of SMG, said: "It's essential to understand the real drivers of habitat destruction, to listen carefully to the needs of local communities. If we can establish alternative livelihoods and opportunities, then encroachment into the park will cease. SMG have already shown that this can be done in Bali Barat National Park, where the deer now flourish, safe from hunters. In Gunung Halimun Salak, we have several endemic species under threat, including Indonesia's Garuda (Javan Eagle Hawk), that's why we established the Biodiversity Conservation Centre."

Indonesia's first Biodiversity Conservation Centre

In the last two years, Antam and SMG has begun a series of initiatives to build the resilience of this bioregion, such as the establishment of Indonesia's first Biodiversity Conservation Centre (www.pkkh-tngh.or.id). SMG are committed to science based solutions for environmental issues, and engage the best expertise available, both in Indonesia and internationally, to build the Biodiversity Conservation Centre in Pongkor, which is located in the TNGHS.

To achieve this, Antam and SMG are working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry. In December 27, 2010 Minister of Forestry has officially launched the Biodiversity Conservation Centre in TNGHS.

The collaboration has also secured the engagement of Indonesia's major universities, and is initiating programs that will see local communities engaged in forest protection; thus creating alternative livelihoods. This collaborative approach shows Public Private Partnerships in action.

What this collaboration has achieved so far:

• Everything we do is based on science. We have built a productive network with Indonesia's best researchers from UI, IPB and UGM to develop new ways of protecting ecosystems.
• We have hosted a series of high profile seminars to share best practice in managing national parks and conservation areas.
• We have developed the Biodiversity Conservation Centre Masterplan for management of the Antam Cluster within Gunung Halimun Salak National Park, including the restoration of degraded land and ecotourism development.
• We have begun the rehabilitation process by establishing a nursery with over 500,000 seedlings, enough for planting 1,000 ha.
• We have established Indonesia's first Biodiversity Conservation Centre in Gunung Halimun Salak National Park focussed on the protection of the Javan Gibbon, the Javanese Hawk Eagle and essential native flora.
• We have chosen the locations for our Biodiversity Forest and Agroforestry Program.

Sustainably Managing Conservation Areas

The projects are sustainable because they benefit communities by developing local livelihoods. Under the Masterplan we will deliver training in forest management, help establish micro-enterprises and develop ecotourism projects. The collaboration in TNGHS will see degraded land restored to valuable habitat for threatened species, while creating jobs in agroforestry and eco tourism.

Antam and SMG believe that ecotourism and environmental services can play a role in preserving Indonesia's natural heritage – and in Indonesia's economic growth. SMG have developed projects that prove that ecotourism generates profitable business opportunities while it protects and retores fragile habitats. SMG's management of Bali Barat National Park has seen a reduction in hunting and poaching and has created new jobs and incomes for the surrounding communities.

About PT ANTAM (Persero) Tbk

Antam is a public listed company in Indonesia and Australia with scope of activities comprises of mining business of various types of minerals as well as conducting business, manufacturing, trading, transportation and other services related to mining activities. Antam has five main business units, including the Southeast Sulawesi Nickel Mining Business Unit, North Maluku Nickel Mining Business Unit, Pongkor Gold Mining Business Unit, Logam Mulia Processing & Refinery Business Unit and Geomin Unit.

About the Sustainable Management Group

The Sustainable Management Group was established by a group of Indonesian forestry professionals who have over 30 years experience in designing community based projects to promote conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Working together with government agencies, landowners, mining companies, scientists, universities and communities, we are currently:

• Developing sustainable commercial activities in conservation areas
• Rehabiliating forests in National Parks
• Protecting and restoring vulnerable wetlands and coastal areas
• Preserving and restoring Indonesia's precious biodiversity

For further information please contact:

PT ANTAM (Persero) Tbk
Tedy Badrujaman
(Corporate Secretary)
Tel : (6221) 780 5119
Fax : (6221) 781 2822
Email : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.antam.com

The Sustainable Management Group
Yulianus Sunarto, Executive Director
( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and mobile 081317279873)
Cassandra Graham, Business Development
( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and mobile 087887450522)
Lili Indarti
( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and mobile 0811901007)