YOGYAKARTA – Landslide detection tools produced by UGM are used not only domestically such as in Karanganyar, Kebumen, and Situbondo, but also by foreign mining industry such as those in China and Myanmar. While in the country a corporation that has already used the tool is PT. Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE).
The monitoring and early warning system tools are installed in eight geothermal exploration sites in Karaha Bodas and Kamojang (West Java), Ulubelu (Lampung), Hululais (Bengkulu), Sungai Penuh (Jambi), Sibayak (North Sumatra), and Lahendong (North Sulawesi).
PT. Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) project coordinator, Ir. Tavip Azimuddin, said PGE very much requires the tools as geothermal resource locations are on the mountainous areas that are prone to landsliding. “PGE very much needs the tools to protect our staff working on the field,” said Tavip on Friday (28/2).
Tavip revealed the reason for using the tools was because there had been landslides that took the lives of staff in Sungai Penuh and Karaha whilst doing explorations. “With these tools, we hope there won’t be anymore accidents in the future,” he said.
Tavip explained the PGE as a national strategic corporation in geothermal exploration is required to conduct disaster mitigation. “Our exploration locations are on the mountainous areas that have high precipitations. Obviously, the risk for landslide and flood is the biggest and this is one that we have to mitigate in advance,” he said.
One of the designers of the tools, Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Sc., Ph.D., explained the landslide monitoring and detection tools consist of extensometer, tilmeter, precipitation measuring tool, ultrasonic, and IP camera. Rita said the tools are to detect landslides on the hillsides and mountainous areas where geothermal resources are found. Generally, the topography is steep, complex geological structure, and alterations that produce thick soil. “Such conditions cause geothermal locations vulnerable to landslides,” she said.
Prior to tool installations, said Rita, UGM researchers had mapped the landslide prone areas and conducted mitigation efforts to protect the workers and infrastructures. “Damages – whether people’s lives or company assets – can be prevented,” said the lecturer in Geology UGM.