Fire Management

Wildfires pose a constant threat for agribusinesses across Indonesia. They also pose a danger to our employees, their families, to the local communities and can also be the catalyst for loss of biodiversity. It is because of this that PT BIA has maintained a strong stance in its fight against wildfires.

As issued in our NDPE Policy, the use of burning techniques to clear land and any sort of activity associated with plantation development. In addition to this, we are also committed to preventing and mitigating fires in and outside our concession.

Our concession is readily equipped with all of the latest equipment and technology required to combat wildfires in the area. The Company is aware of the dangers posed by fires and so we continuously strive to improve and strengthen our existing fire system so as to be able to increase our preparations. PT BIA has trained dozens employee in certified safety officer. Emergency response personnel that are prepared to deploy immediately following the detection of a hotspot.

We realize that tackling fires by relying on our strength alone will not suffice in the long run and so we have devised a long-term solution in the form of community collaborations and socializations. We provide training and education for our associated smallholders as well the local communities on fire prevention and mitigation procedures by launching the formation of a smallholders and villagers fire fighting association so that they may be prepared to combat fires alongside the Company’s own team as well as independently. Additionally, we are also the main providers of their equipment and fire-fighting infrastructure.

PROGRESS
2020.02.12PT BIA received complaints from the Bentala Pusaka Foundation regarding the demolition of a sacred site of Yawantop, the Indigenous peoples of Malind and Wambon Tekamerop. Allegedely, the Company had destroyed sacred site used to perform traditional rituals. A field verification was immediately carried out and it was discovered that the area in question was a category HCV 4 area which according to the testimony of the Basik-Basik clan, was a natural well of 0.2 ha
2020.02.20Public consultations related to the clarification and rehabilitation of high conservation value areas have been carried out with LMA, indigenous communties, and local NGOs with the consultations also being attended by local governments bringing the total attendance to 66 people.
2020.03..12A traditional ceremony has been held between the clans involved, the company and also the local community. Followed by rehabilitation (replanting) with the plants requested by the clan on April 4, 2020.
2020.04.04At present, the Case has been listed as Resolved and continues to be monitored by the HCV team who also collaborates with the VMT (Village Monitoring Team) that has been formed comprised of members of the indigenous community itself.
PROGRESS
2019.12.19Four civic groups (KTNC Watch, PUSAKA, SKP-KAMe and WALHI Papua) submitted a complaint to KNCP regarding the development and production of palm oil.
2020.2.12The company submitted their response to the complaint
2020.3.9Complainant submitted an additional statement
2020.3.17KNCP Initial Assessment results and mediation process is announced
2020.8.201st Mediation Committee meeting (explained implementation of NDPE policy, etc.)
2020.9.18Initial assessment completed
2020.12.22nd Mediation Committee meeting (provided further explanations on implementation of NDPE policy and other inquiries)
2020.12.16Parties agreed to further mediation procedures, extension of deadline
2021.6.233rd Mediation Committee meeting → an agreement was not reached
2021,11Iin response to KNCP request, the company submits its opinion on the KNCP Final Statement draft
2022.1.18KNCP Final Statement is announced
The KNCP published its Final Statement on January 13, 2022. The statement indicated that KNCP did not accept the complainants' claim, but recommended that POSCO International should continue with its current efforts to implement active environmental and social policies and communicate with stakeholders in the future. In response, POSCO International submitted a performance report to KNCP on July 29, 2022, detailing the progress of their ESG activities, including the implementation of the NDPE policy in accordance with the recommendations.