SLEMAN - Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Yogyakarta (UPNVY), University of Lambung Mangkurat (Unlam), University of Tanjungpura  (Untan), and University of Palangkaraya (UPR) have agreed to form a University Consortium for Open Mining Method (KUMPT). As a follow-up to the establishment of this consortium, the four universities visited China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT) in Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China as an international partner, dated March 27, 2018.

The Universities  incorporated in this consortium wish to build a vision through KUMPT's formation to be a leading co-operation that will contribute constructively to the Open Mining Industry conducted internationally to tropical climates or equator areas.

Rector of UPNVY, Prof. Sari Bahagiarti K, MSc who attended the visit said various activities would be conducted related to the consortium such as Resources sharing, Joint Research, Joint Conference, Joint supervision, Joint publication. KUMPT is expected to improve the quality of consortium member and universities contribution to users.

"The main purpose of this consortium is to build collaboration between universities in the context of developing the demand based research activities  (demand dirver) rather than the researchers’ desire based ones (supply drivers)," Sari said in Rectorate Building UPNVY, Monday (2/4/2018).

Another goal is to provide a forum of cooperation among  various fields of science researchers of  KUMPT member universities for integration and synchronization of research activities focused on the development of open mining methods. In addition the consortium is to develop the open mining method technology as a responsive action and to anticipate the impact and sustainability of regional economic development activities.

"The consortium is to develop the institutional mechanisms in encouraging the formation of leading researches in the field of open mining methods. It is also to maximize the development of mutual competence and to share the resources in the long term, "said Sari.

Sari said the initial formation of this consortium was based on the University consortium's lack of conservation on the mining industry. The mining industry is an industry that manages mineral resources that are not renewable because it uses open mining method. In the open mining methods, all mining activities  are conducted above or relatively closed to the surface of the earth, and the workplace is directly related to the outside air. Most of the mining found in Indonesia is done by open mining method.

"Incidentally UPN along with the other three universities have Mining Engineering Program. UPN also has been cooperating with various mining companies so we are called to contribute in this field, " she said.

During the visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the four university consortium members and CUMT. The meeting also discussed : 1) Workshop and annual joint conference, 2) Student exchange program, summer school, internship at underground coal mining project at Golden Underground Mining in Jiangsu, China, 3) Doctoral program at CUMT for lecturers at the university consortium, and the double degree programs; 4) Research cooperation programs, collaboration in publications, and scientific journal publications, and 5) Mining health and safety (K3) training for students and employees at CUMT.

The visit continued by reviewing the main geomechanical laboratory facilities, underground mining techniques, as well as the main laboratory of coal resources and mine safety (K3).

The delegation of UPN "Veteran" Yogyakarata consisted of Rector, Vice Rector for Cooperation, Head of International Affairs Office and Head of Department of Mining Engineering, while delegation from Lambung Mangkurat University consisted of Rector, Vice Rector for Cooperation, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Head of International Affairs Office. (SBK / wwj)