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As part of the Open-Pit Mining course, this field trip was designed to complement students' theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Ir. Budi Sulistianto, M.T., and Dr. Eng. Tri Karian, S.T., M.T., students were introduced to practical knowledge about open-pit mining.

The primary objective of the field trip, as stated by one of the participants, Aulia Karen Nugroho, was to provide practical insights into mining industry operations, particularly those employing open-pit mining methods. “We wanted to see how the theories learned in class are applied in practice,” she said. This field trip serves as a crucial bridge between academic concepts and real-world industrial practices.

The activity began with a presentation by PT Indocement. The students received an explanation about the company's history, the mining methods applied, and sustainable environmental management practices. After the indoor session, the students were taken to visit several other areas, including the heavy machinery maintenance workshop, the limestone quarry, and the post-mining land rehabilitation site.

The students' enthusiasm was evident throughout the visit. “This field trip was very interesting and informative. We were able to see the entire process firsthand, from mining to processing,” said Karen. For her, the most memorable moment was witnessing the blasting process at the quarry site. “Other than that, I was impressed by the company's use of digital mining monitoring technology, which demonstrates that the mining industry will continue to evolve,” she said.

Firsthand experience is considered highly beneficial in understanding the practical application of classroom theories. “Concepts like blasting techniques and slope stability analysis, which were previously just theories in class, can now be observed directly in the field. This has made my understanding much deeper,” said Karen.

Becoming more than just an excursion, this visit provided a concrete picture of the mining industry, giving students a better understanding of the challenges and responsibilities of the profession, from the planning stage of a mine, the implementation of mining safety (K3 and KO), to environmental management. “Before leaving, I hoped to see large-scale mining operations and learn from practitioners. That hope was fulfilled, even exceeding my initial expectations,” she said.

Overall, the field trip to PT Indocement provided significant benefits for ITB Mining Engineering students. In addition to gaining valuable field experience and strengthening theoretical understanding, the activity also successfully established initial connections with the industry and enhanced students' motivation to learn by demonstrating the relevance of the knowledge they are studying.

Translator: Nafi'ah Rahni Nugrahanti (Civil Engineering Student, 2023).