The series began in Lalomerui Village, the closest to SCM’s mining site, and marked an important milestone with the inauguration of the newly renovated Al-Qautsar Mosque, fully supported by SCM.

“With the completion of this renovation, we hope the community can perform their worship more comfortably,” said Lalomerui Village Head, Taksir Unggahi.

The Ramadan Safari also fostered warm interactions, including through the “Anak Saleh” educational quiz. Children participated enthusiastically, offering candid answers that often drew laughter. Mothers accompanying them were occasionally invited to join as well.

As part of the program, SCM’s Community Affairs team and contractor partners distributed more than 350 Ramadan care packages to underprivileged households. These were symbolically handed over to village authorities for distribution.

“Through the Ramadan Safari and these donations, SCM hopes to further strengthen community ties,” said SCM Head of Mining Engineering, Didik Fotunadi. “Direct engagement and positive interactions form the foundation of a harmonious relationship between the company and the community.”
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Engaging Youth in Halmahera
A similar sense of togetherness was seen in Central Halmahera, North Maluku. Here, PT Merdeka Tsingshan Indonesia (MTI) held Ramadan Safari events on February 27, 2026, at Babussalam Mosque in Makarti Jaya Village, and on February 28 at Ar-Rahman Mosque in Labota Village. Activities began before iftar with religious sermons, followed by communal breaking of the fast and prayers.

Beyond religious observances, MTI’s Ramadan Safari created space for youth engagement. In collaboration with Makarti Jaya Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes), the company organized religious competitions involving students from ten local Qur’anic learning centers. Events ranged from archery and short surah memorization to young preacher contests, adhan, quiz competitions, and Ramadan vlogging. These activities encouraged both religious understanding and creativity among village youth.

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Ramadan Fair at Tujuh Bukit
In Banyuwangi, East Java, PT Bumi Suksesindo (BSI) introduced a different approach through Ramadan Fair 2026, involving 56 students from seven high schools in Pesanggaran and Siliragung districts.

Held every weekend since February 27, 2026, the program combined Islamic boarding-style activities with educational sessions. Days were filled with communal worship, followed by tarawih prayers and Qur’an recitation in the evenings. Participants also explored topics relevant to youth, such as the risks of early marriage and drug abuse.

They also received social media content training and joined a mine tour at the Tujuh Bukit Gold Mine.

“Mining is something we usually only see from the outside. Now I can see it firsthand,” said Raya, a participant from SMK PGRI Pesanggaran.

As part of the program, BSI held “Bumi Suksesindo Bersholawat” on March 7, 2026, at Tujuh Bukit Futsal Stadium, attended by hundreds of employees and student participants. The event also included donations to local orphans.

A dedicated session for female employees, titled “Resilient Women Welcoming Ramadan,” focused on practical topics such as emotional awareness and mental resilience in a demanding work environment.

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Extended Safari and Ramadan Market in Pohuwato
In Gorontalo Province, the Pani Gold Mine conducted an extensive Ramadan Safari from February 23 to March 19, 2026. A total of 29 events were held across villages and hamlets, in collaboration with mosque committees and involving multiple company departments.

Each visit included iftar gatherings, religious talks, and congregational prayers, reaching areas such as Hulawa, Taluduyunu, Buntulia, Bulangita, and Palopo. Activities were also regularly held at Baiturrahim Grand Mosque, including a large iftar event at Pohuwato Grand Mosque attended by local government and the public. Cooking oil was distributed at each event as direct support to residents.

“We are impressed by the community’s enthusiasm. Their warm responds gives positive energy to the company,” said Mahesha Lugiana, CSR Manager of Pani Gold Mine.

The program concluded with a Ramadan Market held in Buntulia and Marisa districts. Hundreds of residents accessed subsidized staple packages—worth Rp200,000 but redeemable at Rp50,000—to help meet household needs ahead of Eid. The initiative also reached traditional miners in collaboration with Pohuwato Police.

Through the combination of Ramadan Safari and the Ramadan Market, Pani Gold Mine delivered both social engagement and tangible economic support to surrounding communities.

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Ramadan activities across Merdeka Group’s mining areas may vary, but all are tailored to local needs and cultural contexts. Through sustained interaction and engagement, Ramadan Safari goes beyond religious observance. It creates shared spaces that strengthen communication and trust between the company and the communities it operates in.

Artikel Merdeka Group’s Ramadan Safari: Strengthening Community Bonds Across Operational Areas pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

Two subsidiaries of PT Merdeka Gold Resources Tbk that operate Pani Gold Mine received awards in the large company category: PT Gorontalo Sejahtera Mining (GSM) for achieving 7,666,280 person-hours without a lost time injury, and PT Puncak Emas Tani Sejahtera (PETS) for achieving 2,166,209 person-hours without a lost time injury.

The award was presented by the Governor of Gorontalo Province in recognition of the companies’ achievement in recording zero lost time injuries (LTI), in accordance with Minister of Manpower Regulation No. PER-01/MEN/I/2007. This milestone demonstrates that the consistent implementation of OHS management systems can create a safe, healthy, and productive workplace.

The award was received by Sasongko Heru Nugroho, Head of Mine Technical PETS, accompanied by Adi Firdaus, HR Manager of Pani Gold Mine. “Everyone Safe, Always is our core operational value. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of all employees and partners in upholding safety standards,” said Sasongko. “We remain committed to maintaining and further strengthening OHS standards across all operations.”

Adi said that the achievement reflects strong collaboration in building a safety culture. “This award is not just about numbers, but about our consistency in ensuring every worker returns home safely each day,” said Adi. “We build our safety culture through continuous training, strict supervision, and active engagement of employees and partners.”

This recognition further Pani Gold Mine’s position as a mining operation that prioritizes safety alongside productivity and responsibility to its workforce.

Moving forward, the company will continue enhancing OHS training, operational supervision, and workforce competency to ensure safety remains the foundation as it advances toward full production.

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Artikel Pani Gold Mine Receives Zero Accident Award from Gorontalo Province pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

Mosehe Wonua is a sacred customary ritual of territorial purification practiced by the Tolaki people, one of the ethnic groups of Southeast Sulawesi. The ritual aims to cleanse the self and the land, reconcile conflicts, and ward off misfortune by seeking protection from the Creator so that the region may be spared from harm.

The procession began solemnly with the Pengangkatan Adat, or the formal declaration of the ritual’s intent. Led by the To-ono Mo-tuo, or customary elders, of the Tolaki Customary Council, the ceremony involved the Vice Regent of Konawe, Syamsul Ibrahim, as the respected elder figure. The presence of customary leaders alongside government officials symbolized the harmony between traditional order and formal governance. Also in attendance were representatives of the Konawe Regency DPRD, officials from the regency and Routa Subdistrict governments, and village heads from across Routa.

Following the declaration, the ritual continued with a collective prayer. All participants bowed their heads in reverence. Holding hands or gently touching each other’s shoulders, they prayed together, offering hopes for the safety and well-being of the entire Routa community. The ritual then proceeded with a water-sprinkling procession. Water that had been prayed over was sprinkled onto those present, symbolizing inner purification and the cooling of the soul for every resident of Routa.

The climax of the Mosehe Wonua ritual was marked by the sacrifice of a buffalo. The blood that was shed symbolized atonement and the rejection of misfortune. Through this offering, the community sought to release negative energies and replace them with gratitude for the abundance bestowed upon the land of Routa.

The event was attended not only by residents and government representatives, but also by the private sector. The Head of Mine Technical of PT Sulawesi Cahaya Mineral (SCM), Didik Fotunadi, along with representatives of SCM contractors, took part in the ritual with deep respect, underscoring that industry and tradition can coexist in harmony.

In his remarks, Vice Regent Syamsul Ibrahim emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony between the community and companies operating in the area. “Mosehe Wonua purifies ourselves and our land so that we are kept away from misfortune. This is the first time in Routa’s history that Mosehe Wonua has been held,” he said. “I hope this ritual becomes a momentum to strengthen bonds with local communities, especially in Routa. We must work together to develop this area into a miniature of the most beautiful town in Konawe and Southeast Sulawesi.”

Echoing this sentiment, Routa Urban Village Head Ahmad stated that the collaboration between residents and the company to revive this nearly extinct ritual was a major step toward unity. “This event is sacred and is being held for the first time in Routa. It serves as a forum to unite all Routa residents,” he said. “If disputes arise, we should sit together and involve customary institutions. In Routa, we have always prioritized customary resolution for the sake of peace.”

From the industry perspective, Didik Fotunadi reaffirmed SCM, a subsidiary of PT Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk (IDX: MBMA), commitment to contributing to communities around its mining operations through various economic and infrastructure development programs. “Our contribution to the Mosehe Wonua event reflects our commitment to respecting local wisdom and cultural traditions in the communities surrounding SCM’s mining area in Routa,” he said. “As a ‘neighbour’ in Routa, we also need a safe and conducive environment so that our operations can continue to deliver positive contributions to community welfare. SCM will continue to work in synergy with local government and the community.”

As the ritual concluded and all prayers had been offered, a profound hope lingered on the Lalomerui field: that economic progress would never erode the noble values passed down by Tolaki ancestors. Routa now stands not only spiritually cleansed, but also ready to embrace a more harmonious future.

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Artikel Mosehe Wonua Routa: Purifying the Heart and Preserving Tradition in the Land of Konawe pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

The availability of internet access in Lalomerui is the result of collaboration between SCM and PLN Icon Plus, Regional SBU Sulawesi and Eastern Indonesia. Infrastructure development began in early January 2026, starting with the installation of fiber optic cables. PLN Icon Plus supplied poles and network infrastructure from the provincial road junction to Routa Sub-district, while SCM’s IT team ensured distribution reached key facilities throughout the village. With bandwidth capacity of up to 200 Mbps, the connection is designed to be stable and capable of supporting a wide range of activities, from video conferencing to access to government servers—services that were previously difficult to reach from the area.

The most immediate benefits have been felt in the education sector. Prior to the installation, teachers at SD Negeri Lalomerui and SMP Negeri 2 Routa had to travel for hours to the regency capital simply to submit administrative reports and update the national Education Data System (Dapodik) online.

The principal of SMP Negeri 2 Routa, Imran, described the internet access as a turning point for teaching and learning. “For the past several years, our digital learning materials were practically unusable because they required access to central servers. With free Wi-Fi now available, learning resources can be accessed easily,” he said. “We believe this will significantly boost students’ motivation to learn.”

Internet access has also improved efficiency in school operations. Previously, students of SMP Negeri 2 Routa had to travel to the regency capital to take national assessments. This year, the school is proud to be able to conduct the National Assessment independently on its own campus.

Village Head of Lalomerui, Taksir Unggahi, expressed hope that the facility would broaden local perspectives and open new economic opportunities. “We hope this internet access brings new knowledge to communities around the mining area, including ways to develop the village economy through digital platforms,” he said.

Despite the many benefits, SCM also emphasized the importance of responsible use of technology. During the official handover ceremony of the Village Internet Facility held at SCM’s Community Affairs Office in Lalomerui on 4 February 2026, SCM’s Head of Mine Technical , Didik Fotunadi, reminded the community that the internet has two sides. “Internet technology is like a double-edged sword. It shortens distances, but it also exposes users—especially children—to outside influences if not properly supervised,” he said. “We entrust this facility to be safeguarded and used positively, with guidance from teachers and parents.”

Following the signing of the handover documents, representatives of SCM management, together with its parent company PT Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk and the PLN Icon Plus team, visited beneficiary locations including the Lalomerui Village Office, SMP Negeri 2 Routa, and SD Negeri Lalomerui. Technical teams checked signal strength and ensured routers and cable installations met safety standards and were ready for sustainable operation. The visit was also attended by teachers from SD Negeri Lalomerui led by Ramlin, S.Pd., and local community leaders.

With the operation of this free internet service, Lalomerui Village has officially entered the digital era. The initiative demonstrates that geographical constraints are no longer a barrier to access to technology—and that collaborative efforts can bring meaningful change to classrooms hidden behind hills and forests in remote areas of Konawe.

Main photo: View of Lalomerui Village.

Artikel SCM Provides Free Internet Access for Lalomerui Village in Remote Routa pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

The Roworejo River is located not far from the Tujuh Bukit Gold Mine operated by PT Bumi Suksesindo (BSI). Both are situated in Sumberagung Village, Pesanggaran Subdistrict, Banyuwangi, East Java. When the Sumberagung Village Government initiated the normalization of the Roworejo River to reduce flood risks, the subsidiary of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk provided support by covering the cost of excavator operations.

The river normalization work began on Saturday, 24 January 2026, targeting a one-kilometer stretch of the river. The process has been directly monitored by the Head of Pancer Hamlet, Estu Raharjo. Improved water flow following the normalization is expected to reduce flood risks. According to Estu, the effort is also crucial to protecting local livelihoods. “Our farmers depend heavily on their crops. When flooding occurs, plants are damaged and they suffer losses,” he said.

The excavator deployed on site has also been used for other community needs, such as creating household waste disposal pits to prevent rubbish from being carried into the river during the rainy season.

BSI’s support for river normalization in Sumberagung Village is not without precedent. In 2019, BSI was involved in the normalization of the Gonggo River, which had previously overflowed frequently, flooding residential areas, damaging farmland, and leaving large amounts of waste behind. After the river was dredged and the removed sediment was used to build embankments, areas that had experienced flooding up to three times a year were no longer affected.

Support for the normalization of the Roworejo River forms part of BSI’s ongoing involvement in environmental management around its mining operations. Through cooperation with the village government and local communities, flood mitigation efforts are expected to be carried out more effectively and deliver tangible benefits for the residents of Sumberagung.

Artikel Flood Mitigation Efforts, BSI Supports the Normalization of the Roworejo River in Sumberagung pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

The Pani Gold Mine is a strategic project of PT Merdeka Gold Resources Tbk, a subsidiary of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk. As part of the Merdeka Group, the development of the Pani Gold Mine draws on the Group’s experience in operating the Tujuh Bukit Gold Mine in Banyuwangi, East Java, which applies a similar processing method. This experience provides a strong foundation for technical planning, facility development, and the implementation of operational and sustainability standards at the Pani Gold Mine.

During the initial production stage, the Pani Gold Mine applies the heap leach method, whereby crushed gold ore is stacked on a heap leach pad and irrigated with a chemical solution to dissolve gold and silver from the ore. The resulting pregnant leach solution is then transferred to the ADR Plant (Adsorption, Desorption, and Recovery) for extraction and refining processes, producing gold and silver in the form of dore bullion. The Pani Gold Mine ADR facility has completed its commissioning phase and is ready to process pregnant leach solution.

President Director of PT Merdeka Gold Resources Tbk, Boyke Poerbaya Abidin, stated that the commencement of heap leach irrigation underscores the project’s readiness to achieve its first gold production target.

“This project is not only expected to drive long-term value for investors, but also to make a tangible contribution to regional development, particularly for communities in Pohuwato Regency, through increased local government revenue, job creation, and the development of local MSMEs,” said Boyke.

Alongside the operation of the heap leach facility, the Pani Gold Mine continues to advance the development of a downstream Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) processing facility as part of its medium- to long-term production capacity growth strategy. A Feasibility Study, targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2026, is currently being prepared based on a planned CIL processing capacity of 12 million tonnes per year, to be constructed and operated at full capacity from the outset. This approach replaces the previous plan, which envisaged starting operations at a capacity of 7.5 million tonnes before gradually ramping up to 12 million tonnes.

From a resource perspective, the Pani Gold Mine holds approximately 4.8 million ounces of gold Ore Reserves, derived from a Mineral Resource Estimate of more than 7 million ounces of gold. With this scale, the Pani Gold Mine is recognized as one of the largest primary gold deposits in Indonesia. Through the optimization of heap leach operations and the development of a large-scale CIL facility, the Pani Gold Mine has the potential to reach peak production exceeding 500,000 ounces of gold per year, positioning it as one of the largest gold mines in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Artikel Heap Leach Irrigation Commences, Pani Gold Mine Moves Toward First Gold Production pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

The INSTAR 2025 Index serves as a form of appreciation for companies assessed as having implemented sustainable and integrity-driven business practices. The program is organized by Tempo Data Science in collaboration with Transparency International Indonesia (TII) and the Institute for Strategic Initiatives (ISI). These institutions play an important role in promoting transparency, accountability, and the strengthening of business governance and democracy in Indonesia.

This year, INSTAR assessed 900 companies out of a total of 1,019 companies that published annual and sustainability reports, including issuers listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange and non-listed state-owned enterprises. The assessment applied 47 indicators across four key dimensions: Social and Human Rights, Environment, Business Integrity, and Corporate Resilience. Companies scoring 80 or above receive the Verified Badge, while those exceeding the assessment threshold but not yet reaching a score of 80 receive the Committed Badge.

Participating in the INSTAR assessment for the first time, PT Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk achieved an index score of 83.75, making it the only mining company in Indonesia to receive the INSTAR Verified Company Badge in 2025. Meanwhile, PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk recorded a total index score of 79.82, an increase of 16.67 percent from its 2024 score of 68.42.

The awards on behalf of the Merdeka Group were accepted by Tom Malik, Head of Corporate Communication of Merdeka. The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Minister of Investment Todotua Pasaribu and Deputy Commissioner for Financial System Stability at the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Agus E. Siregar, who emphasized the importance of integrity and sustainability in national business practices.

The INSTAR 2025 awards reflect the results of an independent assessment of the companies’ governance and sustainability practices. This achievement serves as a reference for the Merdeka Group to continue evaluating and strengthening its business integrity practices and sustainability reporting going forward, in line with evolving regulations and stakeholder expectations.

Main photo: Tom Malik, Head of Corporate Communication, receives the INSTAR Verified Company Badge on behalf of PT Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk. Second photo: Tom Malik, Head of Corporate Communication, receives the INSTAR Committed Company Badge on behalf of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk. Third photo: Representatives of companies receiving the INSTAR Committed Badge.

Artikel Two Merdeka Group Companies Receive INSTAR 2025 Verified and Committed Badges pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

The award was presented to Dinia Widodo, External Communications Manager of Merdeka, at the gala night of Lestari Summit 2025, held at Hotel Raffles, Jakarta, on October 2, 2025. The ESG & Climate Change team of Merdeka was also in attendance, coordinating the company’s participation in the event.

This year, the selection process for the Lestari Awards was more rigorous and comprehensive, as it included interview stages for the first time. Participating companies submitted applications through the Lestari platform, which were then assessed by independent assessors, followed by finalist interviews. The winners were announced at the awards ceremony. The event is organized by KG Media in collaboration with several knowledge partners, including WWF, the Indonesian Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP), and BAPPENAS.

The ceremony was opened by Prof. Dr. Ir. Rachmat Pambudy, M.S., Minister of National Development Planning, and attended by Rosan Roeslani, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming of Indonesia, and Raja Juli Antoni, Minister of Forestry, who also presented awards to the winners.

According to Wisnu Nugroho, VP Sustainability of Kompas Gramedia, the Lestari Awards 2025 received 126 submissions—an increase of about 40 percent from last year. This reflects the growing number of organizations eager to share best practices on sustainability issues. In 2025, 16 companies were recognized as winners, with those from Indonesia advancing to the regional level alongside winners from Malaysia and the Philippines.
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Main photo: Dinia Widodo, External Communications Manager of Merdeka, receiving the 2025 LESTARI Awards.

Artikel Merdeka Wins Lestari Awards 2025 pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

“First mining is an important milestone for MGR, its shareholders, and all stakeholders,” said Boyke P. Abidin, President Director of MGR. “It marks the start of mining activities, which will soon be followed by heap leach processing, gold recovery, and first production.”

The commencement of first mining took place shortly after MGR followed in the footsteps of its parent company, PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk (IDX: MDKA), by being listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange on September 23, 2025. Under the ticker symbol EMAS, MGR successfully raised IDR 4.66 trillion to support mine development.

Located in Hulawa Village, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province, the Pani Gold Mine contains over 7 million ounces of gold with a multi-decade mine life. Managed by several MGR subsidiaries overseeing mining operations, processing facilities, and supporting infrastructure, the mine is designed as an open-pit mine to be developed in stages.

In the initial stage, MGR will apply heap leach processing with a capacity of 7 million tonnes of ore per year, targeting annual production of around 140,000 ounces of gold. In the next stage, the company will build a carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing facility with an initial capacity of 7.5 million tonnes of ore per year, which will be expanded to 12 million tonnes of ore by 2030.

When both facilities are operating at full capacity, the combined heap leach and CIL throughput will reach 19 million tonnes of ore per year, with peak production potential of up to 500,000 ounces of gold annually. First gold production from heap leach is expected in the first quarter of 2026.

In the long term, the Pani Gold Mine is projected to become an economic driver in Pohuwato Regency and Gorontalo Province. Boyke emphasized that the project will deliver broad benefits, including job creation, new business opportunities, and increased regional revenue.

“We are committed to operating responsibly, adhering to Good Mining Practices and high Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, so that the benefits can be sustained over time,” Boyke said.

With first mining underway, the next steps—ore stacking and processing—will lead to first gold production next year. The journey of the Pani Gold Mine has officially begun, opening a new chapter for MGR to become one of the largest primary gold mines in Indonesia and providing positive benefits to the surrounding community.

Artikel First Mining: Pani Gold Mine Officially Begins Operations pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.

The journey to the capital was a challenge of its own. It took well over a dozen hours—if not more—to reach Jakarta from Wetar Island in eastern Indonesia, with two transits in Atambua and Kupang. In Jakarta, even greater challenges awaited.

The event was not only their first competition but also their debut operating an excavator in front of a live audience—beyond their own trainer. Once they had mastered the basics, they had to immediately compete against seasoned operators from other mining companies.

That was a leap, considering the machine they usually drive is not an excavator but an ADT, or articulated dump truck. Since joining Wetar Copper Mine in 2022, they have been operating the six-wheeled truck, equipped with a central hinge that makes it nimble across rough terrain. Mastering the ADT was itself part of their “firsts.” Before joining Mining Apprentice, a program created to recruit and train local women operators, neither of them had driven a four-wheeled vehicle. Unlike Kristanty, Yanti had not even ridden a motorcycle before. Their first vehicle turned out to be heavy machinery—something even licensed drivers might never manage.

They believe the key to work is the willingness to learn, since skills can be sharpened through intensive training. When chosen to compete in Jakarta, it felt like another chance to push themselves further.

Beyond working hours, Kristanty and Yanti were trained by Muslik, a Mining Trainer at PT Batutua Tembaga Raya (BTR), one of the two companies managing the Wetar Copper Mine. The process was not too different from regular training. “First comes the classroom, learning safety and equipment,” Muslik explained. “Then we go to the field, where they learn to operate the unit.”

“The time was very short, just fifteen days,” Yanti recalled. “But the trainer always supported us with full confidence. What mattered was being able to perform our best in the competition.”

For Agus Satari, Training Supervisor at BTR, the participation of Wetar Copper Mine in this national competition was equally significant. “Beyond carrying the name of BTR,” Agus said, “we want to show others that we have skilled operators.”

“Thank God I was able to complete the training well,” Kristanty said, hoping she and Yanti could show their very best.

First photo: From left, Agus Satari, Muslik, Yanti Maryana Pio, and Kristanty Lendert. Second photo: The equipment introduction session.

If described simply, the 2025 Operator Championship challenge was straightforward: drop basketballs into three types of goals—a basketball hoop, an open oil drum, and a low wooden box the size of a desk drawer. In practice, however, it demanded extreme precision, even for seasoned operators.

Each participant was given ten basketballs, placed on traffic cones on one side of the excavator. Using the excavator’s bucket, they had to scoop the balls off the cones, lift them, then swing the arm across to drop them into the goals on the opposite side. The sequence of goals was up to the operator. Whoever managed to score in all three goals first—or scored the most within ten minutes—was declared the winner. Before the session ended, the excavator bucket had to be returned to its original position: resting on a pad of stacked burlap sacks.

“The hardest target is the box,” Kristanty admitted.

Yanti agreed: “The box is small. Once the ball hits inside, it bounces out.” In other words, a miss.

Operators competed in pairs, starting only when signaled by the referee. Touching the goal or the asphalt with the excavator bucket counted as a foul, leading to a yellow card. Red cards were issued for severe violations like damaging equipment, changing the machine’s settings, or driving out of bounds. The official match ended once all three goals had been scored, with the excavator bucket returned to its original position on the burlap sack pad.

The competition used a round-robin format, meaning each participant faced all others once, ensuring that the final results reflected consistency. Between elimination rounds, there were entertainment sessions, demonstrations, and open challenges.

Because participants from other companies withdrew, Kristanty and Yanti ended up being the only women among eight male operators. They faced each other as well as the men, with wins and losses alternating. In one open session, Kristanty even defeated an operator from another company.

Beyond the main competition, there was also an Exhibition match. All ten participants were split into two teams of five, led by Kristanty and Yanti. It was a relay format: each operator had to score two balls before switching out. Yanti’s team eventually edged out Kristanty’s.

Although they did not take home the main trophy, Kristanty and Yanti were honored with the Female Operator Pioneer Award. For them, it was a meaningful achievement—winning a top prize on their very first try would have been too many “firsts” at once. Both were grateful to represent Wetar in this prestigious event.

“Thank God I could give my best in this competition,” Kristanty reflected.

For Agus Satari, who along with Muslik accompanied them throughout the championship in Jakarta, that was what mattered most. “Winning is just a bonus for us,” he said.

Agus also shared Wetar Copper Mine’s plan to empower operators further: enabling experienced women operators to train the next generation of local recruits. “And in the future,” he added, “they can compete in even bigger championships.”

For Wetar Copper Mine, the participation of two local women operators in a national event was itself a proud milestone. Agus added that the community empowerment program would continue expanding into other areas, unlocking more potential from people in the mining community.

Kristanty and Yanti share the same determination: to return to the competition, carrying the lessons and experience from this year. They are deeply grateful for the trust given to represent Wetar in this event, especially to Jimmy Bob Soeroto, Head of Mining Engineering at the Wetar Copper Mine, who strongly supported them, and Boyke P. Abidin, President Director of the companies managing the Wetar Copper Mine, who warmly welcomed them in Jakarta.

Their message to other aspiring women operators?

“If others can do it, why can’t we?” Yanti said. “Let’s prove that women can operate machines of any size.”

Kristanty Lendert and Yanti Maryana Pio among fellow operators, from competing to receiving their award.

Artikel From First Experiences to First Award: Two Women Operators from Wetar Copper Mine at the 2025 Operator Championship pertama kali tampil pada PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk.