EAST BELITUNG - PT Timah's community empowerment program has driven the Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS) Mudong Garam Lestari (MGL) in Padang Village, Manggar Subdistrict, East Belitung Regency, to continue growing.
In the year 2023, PT Timah, through its CSR program, provided funding for the development of the Mudong Garam Lestari KUPS group. The CSR program funds were utilized to improve facilities, thus enhancing their salt production. This effort has proven successful, leading to a significant increase in salt production.
Ahartoni, the Chairman of KUPS Mudong Garam Lestari in Padang Village, expressed the positive impact of PT Timah Tbk's role through the CSR program on the development of their salt production.
"The role of PT Timah Tbk's CSR program in developing the salt business run by KUPS Mudong Garam Lestari (MGL) in Padang Village is very helpful and beneficial," said Ahartoni.
According to him, assistance from PT Timah was used by their group for adding a new vlog with a cement floor, repairing leaking plastic membrane in the vlog. Additionally, they purchased supporting infrastructure for salt production, including a water tank, a Robin water suction machine, a scale, and other necessary facilities.
Ahartoni explained that the current development in salt production, from the start of production (harvest) in July 2023 to January 2024, has yielded 4,000 kilograms of salt, with 2,850 kilograms already sold.
The impact of PT Timah's CSR program has significantly aided the community, contributing to the income of the business group.
"The highest salt harvest this January was 900 kilograms, and the total production from June to January reached 4,000 kilograms," he clarified.
Ahartoni hopes that PT Timah's CSR program, as a member of the Mining Industry Holding MIND ID, can continue to nurture and support KUPS Mudong Garam Lestari (MGL) in Padang Village. In the future, they plan to continue developing and increasing salt production through various improvements, especially in facilities and other supporting infrastructure.
"We hope for the support and assistance of PT Timah Tbk's CSR program to add other facilities and infrastructure to support the improvement of salt production," he concluded. (*)"
