Indonesia is one of the countries with abundant natural wealth. Many natural products from Indonesia have been exported to various other countries, both in Asia, Europe and America. Some of the natural products from Indonesia that have been exported include marine products such as shrimp and lobster, Indonesian coffee products such as gayo aceh coffee and luwak coffee, plantation products such as rubber and palm oil, and mining products such as gold and silver. One of the major factors in the use of Indonesia’s natural products, apart from the huge potential of its natural resources, to be able to take its benefits, good natural resource management must be carried out so that the results are maximized and do not damage nature. This requires cooperation between the government, management companies and local communities in managing these natural resources so that they can be taken advantage of but not damage the environment. Although from the past many natural resources have been found and utilized in various sectors, from year to year the company will continue to look for new natural resource potentials that can be managed.
Recently, PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM) announced that it had found a treasure near Mandalika or more precisely in Hu’u District, Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. This discovery is in the form of potential mineral resources in the form of copper and gold onto. The discovery of this treasure is predicted to have a total mineral resource potential of 1.1 billion tons of copper and gold. Then for the total Inferred mineral resource potential of 1 billion tons of copper and gold. In total, the projected mineral resources are more than 2 billion tons. This number is higher than the findings in December 2019 ago (Ignacio Geordi Oswaldo, 2022). It should be noted that the onto mineral resource potential is part of the Hu’u Project owned by STM which is the holder of the 7th generation Contract of Work (KK) signed by the Government of Indonesia on February 19, 1998, located in Hu’u District, Dompu and Bima Regencies, Nusa Southeast West. PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM) itself has been conducting exploration activities within the Hu’u Project area since 2010. Drilling will continue from 2022 onwards, to support further studies to determine the size, area and characteristics of potential mineral resources onto and provide more complete data (Ay, 2022). With the discovery of this amazing treasure, it is hoped that the utilization and processing of mineral resources can be carried out properly so as not to damage nature or harm the local people and maximize its processing.
As we know, mineral resources, especially copper and gold, are materials that have many benefits for various daily needs. Copper itself has many benefits, including as a conductor of electricity, building materials, materials for making various household appliances and transportation, as well as being the main ingredient in several industries. While gold itself also has benefits in many industries, among others, as jewelry or items that can be invested because gold has a relatively increasing selling value every year, as a material for producing electronic devices and can also be used for the fields of beauty and health. With the many benefits of each of these copper and gold mineral resources, it is not surprising that the discovery of new potential resources will be good news because with proper management it can increase state income and improve the welfare of the surrounding community.
In addition, the discovery of treasure near Mandalika has made Mandalika name more famous throughout the world. This is because, as we all know, recently many eyes have turned to Indonesia because of its participation in the activities of the WorldSBK Indonesia 2021 and MotoGP 2022. For MotoGP itself, this is the second time Indonesia has hosted the MotoGP. Previously in 1996-1997 Indonesia had hosted the MotoGP event which was held at the Sentul International circuit, Bogor. After that, it was only 25 years later that in 2022, Indonesia could again host the MotoGP event, which is one of the most prestigious motor racing sports around the world. The Mandalika Circuit itself was built with a construction time of about 14 months and has an area of ​​1.035 hectares and construction costs that reach 1.2 trillion. This circuit has a seating capacity of 195,000 spectators spread across the stands beside the circuit track. Because of its strategic location, namely in the village of Kuta, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (Lukman Nur Hakim, 2022). Where many people know that Lombok is an area with amazing tourism and natural scenery, the Mandalika circuit is touted as one of the circuits with the most beautiful natural scenery. So that when the racers and spectators visit the Mandalika circuit they will be spoiled with the amazing natural scenery around the circuit. Even before the start of the MotoGP event, many riders and staff who had just arrived at Mandalika enjoyed their free time by walking around the circuit to enjoy the scenery. With so many racers sharing their moments on social media while in Mandalika, it can also increase the attractiveness of foreign tourists to visit Indonesia. From those who didn’t know before, they became aware and interested in visiting Mandalika because they saw the moment of the racers enjoying their free time while preparing to race at the Mandalika circuit. After the absence of an event at Mandalikan, the government and the manager of the Mandalika circuit must continue to carry out routine maintenance and maintenance to the maximum so that the circuit can continue to be used in the future and Indonesia can again host various world-class events such as WorldSBK and MotoGP.
So that with the rise of Indonesia’s name when it hosted the 2022 MotoGP event on March 18-20 and the news of the discovery of Indonesian treasures in the form of potential copper and gold mineral resources. This will further bring the name Mandalika West Nusa Tenggara more widely known. Not only people from outside the region but also people from abroad and increasing the name of Indonesia in the eyes of the world. It is hoped that in the future, with maximum support from the government, it is hoped that Indonesia can play an active role in international level events and be able to participate either as a participant or host in the event. As well as regarding the discovery of natural resources, it is hoped that the ongoing search, both around Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara or other areas in Indonesia, can produce results by rediscovering valuable treasures such as the potential of other natural resources that can be managed by the government and the people of Indonesia.
