Developing an integrated cattle farm on ex coal mining area

Abstract

Mining companies are required to carry out reclamation process. Reclamation on ex-coal mining area has an opportunity to be functioned as Integrated Cattle Farm (ICF) as it is stated in Good Mining Practice Implementation Guidelines in Indonesia. The ICF aims to elaborate surrounding community development projects and empower domestic cattle beef. In addition, beef import is still conducted to meet domestic beef demand. However, some strategies have been arranged including extended livestock area project. As a preliminary study, this project aims to review the possibility of cattle farm development on ex-mining area from the weight increment and birth rate of cattle. The data was taken from PT Berau Coal, East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that the birth rates are: Brahman cross cattle (65%); Bali cattle (42%); and Donggala cattle (94%). Based on the farming system, the highest mean of Brahman cross cattle weight gain on the intensive farming (zero grazing) was 0.43 kg/day and 0.22 kg/day on the semi-intensive farming (grazing). To prepare ICF as community livelihood in the mine closure, some strategies need to be applied due to weight gain improvement. For commercial purposes of beef cattle, male cattle are better selected than female cattle. This project however improves capability and independency of the community from the training program. Moreover, ICF can be endorsed as sustainability of natural resources management from coal mine closure.