Enviro News Asia, South Tangerang — Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is promoting the transformation of post-mining land into integrated farming areas combining livestock, fisheries, agriculture and agro-tourism through a circular bioeconomy approach.
The concept was presented by Sindu Akhadiarto, Principal Researcher at BRIN’s Research Center for Animal Husbandry, during BRIN Goes To Industry 7 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD City, South Tangerang, on September 16, 2026.
Sindu said livestock production could serve a broader ecological function beyond producing meat, eggs and milk. Under BRIN’s proposed model, livestock can become part of a biological system designed to help restore the functions of former mining areas.
“Livestock does not only produce meat, eggs and milk, but can also serve as a biological engine to accelerate the recovery of ecosystem functions in former mining areas,” Sindu said.
The integrated farming model combines livestock with fisheries, horticulture, food crops and plantations. The approach resembles an Agro Techno Park, linking production activities from upstream to downstream with technological and research support.
The former mining areas could also serve as research and education sites as well as agro-tourism destinations. BRIN said the model could turn post-mining areas into smart agriculture demonstration zones that generate both environmental and economic benefits.
East Kalimantan has significant potential for the approach. Sindu said coal mining areas in the province cover more than 1.5 million hectares, representing around 40 percent of Indonesia’s total coal mining area.
One component being studied is the use of mining voids, or former mining pits that have filled with water, for fisheries. Other parts of the land could support horticultural crops and food production.
Sindu said previous experience in developing fisheries in former mining lakes had produced promising results. After nearly five years of management, some former mining voids have supported commodities such as giant freshwater prawns and tilapia, providing potential benefits for surrounding communities.
Land rehabilitation can also include crops adapted to post-mining soil conditions. At the Green Belt area of PT Semen Indonesia’s Tuban Plant in East Java, for example, horticultural crops including citrus, grapes and longan have been developed.
BRIN also has high-yield crop varieties that can be considered for specific post-mining conditions, including new rice varieties capable of adapting to acidic soils.
BRIN has begun strengthening the model through partnerships with industry. In 2026, the agency collaborated with PT Bramasta Sakti on post-mining land reclamation in East Kalimantan using revegetation and phytoremediation approaches to support the development of ruminant livestock production.
PT Bramasta Sakti Director Wiwin Suhartanto said the partnership is supported by an institutional framework through a memorandum of understanding with BRIN’s Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, followed by a cooperation agreement with the Research Center for Animal Husbandry.
The collaboration could later be expanded to other research centers, including BRIN’s Research Center for Fisheries.
“The potential of our land and BRIN’s research capabilities can be brought together to develop new innovations,” Wiwin said.
A BRIN team visited the company’s site in August 2026 to examine the land and identify potential areas for research. The team also collected soil samples from several locations to analyze soil characteristics and composition as a basis for further studies.
Wiwin said two water-filled mining voids were among the sites being considered for fisheries research.
The model demonstrates that post-mining land recovery can extend beyond conventional reclamation by incorporating productive uses based on research and innovation. BRIN expects the integration of livestock, fisheries, food crops, horticulture, education and agro-tourism to create new economic opportunities while maintaining environmental sustainability. (*)
