Mining associations have called on the Indonesian government to increase its monitoring, supervision and evaluation on the implementation of occupational safety and health (K3) of workers at the operation site of nickel refinery PT Indonesia Tsingshan Stainless Steel (ITSS) following the deadly explosion late last year that killed 29 people and injured 50 others.
Meidy Katrin Lengkey, Secretary General of the Indonesian Nickel Mining Association (APNI) said there should be supervision and evaluation in the development and production of an industry.
“Everywhere is the same. There must be supervision by related parties, including central and local governments, in this nickel refinery business,” Meidy told Indonesia Business Post on Thursday, January 18, 2024.
She said in the early development until the operation of nickel smelter, the government would usually issue a permit after they supervise its safety and environmental aspects.
“Ever since the factory was established, there must have been evalution held by the central and local governments on how many accidents have happened, and how many people have died in the accidents,” she cited.
Meidy said incidents at the nickel smelters will have an impact on the nickel miners, because disruption to the smelter operation will have a consequence on the supply and demand of nickel ores.
The smelter furnace of PT ITSS exploded on December 24, 2023, killing 13 workers. The explosion occurred when the company’s technical team was about to repair one of the feronite furnaces on the second floor of PT ITSS building.
Meidy said further that the government should temporarily halt the operation of ITSS for evaluation purposes.
“We are confused because a nickel factory that has had so many work accidents and fire incidents, with lots of casualties, continues to run. There must be an evaluation whether there is a mistake there. How can you evaluate if the factory is still running?” she asked.
Djoko Widajatno Soewanto, Deputy Executive Director at the Indonesia Mining Association said the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources needs to increase supervision on K3 implementation at the ITSS smelter.
“Supervision by smelter inspector from the Energy and Mineral Resource Ministry is necessary in the context of the implementation of occupational health and safety,” he said.
Djoko said that based on his visit at the company on December 1, 2023, the Chinese company has implemented high K3 standards, including ISO 45001.
The company, he said, has provided standard operational procedure (SOP) and established an Emergency Rescue Plan that is supported by an Emergency Rescue Team. Still, the incident happened because of the workers’ lack of experience in operating the smelter.
Government’s response
The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment is set to conduct full investigation into the December 24, 2023 explosion.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan requested all government agencies to take firm action in their investigation of the explosion.
“I want us to be firm on this investigation. There is no need to hesitate. If there needs to be a prosecution, then prosecute it. So there will be nothing like this happening again in the future,” said Luhut after chairing a coordination meeting on Monday, January 15, 2024. The meeting was a follow-up to the first coordination meeting on December 28 last year.
Luhut also instructed the Police, along with the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Manpower, to check on the company’s labor compliance system and provisions.
“I have asked those handling this case to thoroughly investigate the incident. We must show them that we do need investment, but they must comply with the regulations in our country. Do not let the rules be underestimated,” Luhut said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah said there were strong indications of violations of the SOPs and negligence in the application of OHS requirements that led to the explosions and fire incident.
“We suggest that the Police will not only apply the Criminal Code in its investigation, but also include the Labor Law, so as to provide a deterrent effect to the company that criminal charges can also be imposed on corporation,” she said.
In his report, Central Sulawesi Police Chief Inspector General Agus Nugroho said the police had increased the status of case from investigation into litigation, including summoning witnesses for questioning and confiscation of evidence.
“Follow-up measures is to question expert witnesses in forensic and labor matters as well as coordinate with the Police’s International Relations Division, the Chinese Embassy, the prosecutors, and the company itself,” Agus said.
