PT Golden Energy Mines Tbk (GEMS) recognised at Asian Innovation Excellence Awards 2025

The company’s electrification and digital systems cut emissions, lower fuel costs, and support safer coal mining operations.

PT Golden Energy Mines Tbk (GEMS) won an accolade in the Indonesia Sustainability Innovation of the Year - Metals & Mining category at the Asian Innovation Excellence Awards 2025 for its electrification initiative that integrates sustainability into coal mining operations.

Through its long-term programme, The Golden Energy Mines Way, GEMS began replacing diesel-powered systems with electric equipment at its main business unit, PT Borneo Indobara (BIB). The effort started in 2019, first at the port stockpile operations, where early trials showed clear results. Electricity use reached 107.1 GWh, cutting diesel consumption by 97%. The change brought cost savings of US$18m and reduced emissions by 76,212 tonnes of CO₂. Encouraged by this outcome, the company is now extending the approach to other stages of mining, from land clearing to extraction and coal hauling.

To sustain progress, the company is working with Indonesia’s state-owned utility PLN to secure additional electrical capacity of 41 MVa by the end of 2025 and 200 MVa by 2028. Once the system runs at full scale, diesel use is expected to fall by 64%, avoiding around 921,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. The company also projects a significant cost saving for every tonne of coal produced, reinforcing the economic case for electrification.

Digitalisation supports this transition. The Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) system automates truck weighing, improving accuracy and cutting coal loss by IDR116b annually. Meanwhile, the Fatigue Management System (FMS) tracks driver alertness in real time and issues automatic warnings when drowsiness occurs. These tools create safer, more consistent operations without slowing production.

Together, these developments show a methodical yet forward-looking approach to mining. The company is applying technology as a means to work cleaner and smarter. Each initiative is measured and rooted in the company’s goal of reducing emissions whilst maintaining operational strength.

The Asian Innovation Excellence Awards honours companies that achieve measurable outcomes and address key challenges through innovation and operational improvement, recognising initiatives that drive meaningful progress across diverse industries in the region.

The Asian Innovation Excellence Awards is presented by Asian Business Review. To view the full list of winners, click here. For more information on the awards programme, you may contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at (+65) 3158 1386 ext 242 or at [email protected].