Beni Wahju, a Figure Behind The Start of Nickel Mining in Sorowako

Beni Wahju Figure (right)

http://www.vale.com/indonesia/bh/aboutvale/history/pages/default.aspx

Beni Nurtjahja Wahju is a figure whose name is famous in the national mining world. Born in Depok on 10 May 1934, he is known as the pioneer of establishment of PT INCO (now PT vale Indonesia Tbk). Before having career in the Directorate of Geology (previously Geology Department), Beni Wahju grew in Cirebon and Indramayu. In 1955, he went to a senior high school in Bogor and continued his study at Faculteit voor Wiskunde

and Natuurwetenschappen, Universiteit Indonesie in Bandung in Geology and Mineralogy Department, at that time ‘richting i’ and right now the Faculty of Earth Science and Technology, Geological Engineering Study Program, Bandung Institute of Technology. In 1961, he graduated from Bandung Institute of Technology and started working at the Directorate of Geology in Bandung. In 19621964 he continued his study at Colorado School of Mines, United States to deepen his knowledge of geological and mining world. In addition, upon completing asbestos project in Halmahera, Beni Wahju also studied at USGS (United States Geological Survey) in Washington, DC and a number of short courses to hone his expertise. There, he met her beloved wife, Mrs. Soffie. On 10 January 1964, Beni Wahju officially married her wife, Soffie Hendrawati Soemawidjaja, in Washington, DC. Their marriage was blessed with three sons, Reza Maulana Wahju, Emir Andromeda Wahju, and Kemal Wahju. Upon completing his study in the United States, he returned to Bandung. After returning to Bandung, Beni Wahju contributed his ideas to the Geology Department, ITB, as a contributor of ideas in the establishment of field camp in Karang Sambung, Central Java. In 1966, he was assigned by the Directorate of Geology to go to various places in Sulawesi. Beni along with Hitler Singawinata and Rumengan Musu were the pioneer of the existence of Sorowako nickel mining managed by PT INCO. His course of life changed here. Beni Wahju did no longer desire to be an employee of the Directorate of Geology and joined PT INCO in 1968. In the Canadian company, besides continuously performing exploration activity, Beni Wahju contributed his ideas to surrounding society and the country. One of his ideas was that PT INCO built a smelter around the mining area. PT INCO’s smelter was the first smelter built by a foreign mining company. Besides administering technical matters related to his works as a geologist, Beni was evidently able to contribute his ideas for

PT INCO to pay attention to surrounding society more intensely, thus PT INCO was able to be the prime mover for surrounding area. Upon his retirement from PT INCO, Beni was active at IMA from 19992012 before the end of his life. In 1998, Beni took the position of Chairman of IMA until 2005. Further, until 2012, Beni served as the Supervisory Board at IMA. Besides active at IMA organization, he wrote much about the development of geological and mining status in Indonesia. A number of writings he had made with his friends had been compiled into books issued by APIIMA and were published bilingually (IndonesianEnglish), including: i. Indonesian Mining Industry, In the Pe riod of Translation Between 1997 – 2001 (by B.N. Wahju) ii. Indonesia Mineral Prospecting Activi ties in 19691994 (by B.N. Wahju, et al.) iii. 30 Tahun IMA – Dedikasi Industri Per tambangan Bagi Pertumbuhan Ekonomi In-

donesia [30 Years of IMA – Mining Industry’s Dedication to Indonesia’s Economic Growth] (by B.N. Wahju, et al). iv. Mining Indonesia – Fifty Years Development 19451995 (by B.N. Wahju et al.) v. Indonesian Mineral Development (by B.N. Wahju et al., 1992)

When the mining industry was ‘threatened’ by the judicial review issue filed by a number of NGOs to the Constitution Court regarding the existence of Law Number 19 of 2004 concerning Stipulation of Governmental Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 41 of 1999, Beni was one of the figures on the frontline to struggle for mining industry’s ‘fate’. Thanks to Beni, Soetaryo Sigit, and others’ persistence, the mining sector could continue its operation. Beni was known as a man of vision who promoted good mining practices. He was greatly concerned about environmental impact management, for exmining land to be greened or sustainable. Consciously, Beni applied the natural and cultural ecosystem sustainable principles, and even the survival of rare animals around mining areas. In addition, Beni was quite close to and concerned about surrounding society’s education. His commitment to good mining practices remains an important part of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk until now. In the interaction, he was known as an authoritative, decisive and principle bearing man. However, after getting acquainted further, he was a polite and kindhearted man who was generous in giving guidance and advice, moreover, to the youth. In his activities, Beni was able to show that he was not only a geologist, but also an environmentalist, thus it is not strange that his name was perpetuated to be the name of a fish species living in Sulawesi. His departure will always be remembered and memorized in the Indonesian mining world. Although he had passed away on 21 January 2012, but his services to the Indonesian mining world will never be forgotten. May his fire of ideals and spirit will never die out and continuously illuminate mining workers’ journey and struggle he had left behind, towards glory of the national mining sector, realizing exploitation of mineral resources to the greatest benefit of the Indonesians, as mandated by the Constitution.

Beni Wahju Book Launching

http://ratihpoeradisastra. blogspot.com/2019/02/biografi-bnwahju.html

References:

Wenas, Tony. (2014, 23 Maret). The Father of Indonesian Mining. Diakses dari https://beniwahju. com/2014/03/23/thefatherofindonesianmining/ Widartoyo, Joe. (2013, 19 April). Good Friends for 57 Years. Diakses dari https://beniwahju.com/2013/04/19/ goodfriendsfor57years/ Gandataruna, Kosim. (2013, 21 Januari). Pendekar Pertambangan Nasional. Diakses dari https://beniwahju. com/2013/01/21/pendekarpertambangannasional/ Soetjipto, Rozik Boedioro. (2013, 8 Januari). Mengenang Kang Beni Wahju. Diakses dari https://beniwahju. com/2013/01/08/mengenangkangbeniwahju/ Nasution, Abdul Djalil. (2012, 4 Mei). Persahabatan Selama Lima Dasawarsa. Diakses dari https://beniwahju. com/2012/05/04/persahabatanselamalimadasawarsa/

Kurniawan, Anto. (2019, 22 Januari). BN Wahju, dari Sorowako Jadi Tokoh Pertambangan Nasional. Diakses dari https://ekbis.sindonews.com/berita/1372438/34/bnwahjudarisorowakojaditokohpertambangannasional?showpage=all#:~:text=JAKARTA%20%2D%20Bagi%20masyarakat%20umum%20di,geologist%20 terbaik%20di%20Asia%20Tenggara. Koesoemadinata, R. Prajatna. (2012, 13 April). Selamat Jalan, Temanku Benny Nurtjahya Wahju. Diakses dari https://beniwahju.com/2012/04/13/faculteitvoorwiskundeennatuurwetenschappenuniversiteitindonesie/

Photo by : Candra Kartika 12117045