Mataram, University of Mataram – The University of Mataram (Unram) reaffirmed its role as a center of academic excellence and a platform for cross-sector collaboration through a Coffee Morning event entitled “Keynote Address by the Chief of the NTB Regional Police: Empowerment of Gold Mining Cooperatives in NTB.” The event was held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, in the Rector’s Meeting Room at the Unram Rectorate.

The session was attended by the Rector of Unram, Prof. Ir. Bambang Hari Kusumo, M.Agr.St., Ph.D.; the Chief of the West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police (Kapolda NTB), Irjen Pol Hadi Gunawan, S.H., S.I.K.; senior officials of the NTB Regional Police; deans; as well as distinguished professors and experts from Unram specializing in economics, law, and mining. The forum underscored Unram’s strong commitment to contributing actively in shaping and overseeing mining resource governance that is inclusive, sustainable, and oriented toward the welfare of society.

In his remarks, the Rector of Unram emphasized the importance of synergy between the government, the police, and universities in optimizing the mining potential of West Nusa Tenggara. “Mining management should not be limited to large corporations but must also create opportunities for local communities. Mining should be approached from a broader perspective, including as a strategic space for universities to contribute through research, monitoring, and evidence-based policy recommendations. By integrating mining with education, research, and the economy, we can transform prevailing stigmas while opening opportunities to ensure that the benefits of mining are equitably and sustainably shared with society,” he stated.

Furthermore, Prof. Bambang underscored that, as a leading academic institution, Unram holds a strategic role in supporting development through strengthening research, advancing environmentally friendly technologies, community engagement, scientific studies, and the formulation of evidence-based policy recommendations aimed at promoting equitable and sustainable mining governance.

In his keynote address, Chief of the NTB Regional Police, Irjen Pol Hadi Gunawan, S.H., S.I.K., emphasized that gold mining cooperatives could serve as a concrete solution to reducing crime rates, alleviating poverty, increasing the Regional Gross Domestic Product (RGDP), and fostering a healthy investment climate. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that mining activities are managed in compliance with regulations and free from mercury use, in line with the 2025 National Action Plan for Mercury Elimination (RAN-PPM).

In his presentation, Irjen Pol Hadi Gunawan explained that gold mining cooperatives would involve multiple stakeholders, including landowners, local communities, the military and police, civil society organizations, and even marginalized village groups. Through this model, mining is expected to generate economic benefits while simultaneously reducing crime rates, which are often driven by economic factors.

The Coffee Morning served as a strategic step for Unram and the NTB Regional Police to strengthen collaboration with local governments and other stakeholders in realizing mining governance that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable in West Nusa Tenggara.