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This activity is part of the "Bottom-Up DPMK 2025 Community Service Scheme" program. The program was led directly by the Head of the FTTM ITB Community Service Team, who is also the Dean of FTTM ITB, Prof. Dr.Eng. Ir. Syafrizal, S.T., M.T., IPM.

According to Prof. Syafrizal, this activity represents a tangible contribution from the ITB academic community through the application of science. "Although it feels relatively small compared to the vastness of Indonesia, it is hoped that ITB's impact can become something real," he stated.

Potential Mapping and Legality Education

The ITB team, which also included Ir. Arie Naftali Hawu Hede, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., Dr.Eng. Tomy Alvin Rivai, S.T., M.Eng., as well as Master's (S2) and Doctoral (S3) students from Mining Engineering, had conducted preliminary research (visit 1) from September 18 - October 4, 2025, to collect rock samples.

Ir. Arie Naftali Hawu Hede, S.T., M.T., Ph.D., who is also the Head of the Master's Program in Mining Engineering at ITB, explained that Naunu Village is known to have significant manganese potential. The people on Timor Island are also generally familiar with manganese mining.

"Our presence in Naunu Village is to conduct community service, specifically in mapping the potential for manganese and gold deposits in Kupang Regency," said Arie.

The ITB team sought to help the community understand this potential scientifically and provide education on proper management methods. The aspect of legality was a key emphasis.

"We also informed the community about the importance of legal mining through the permitting process. One form of this is a people's mining permit (IPR). However, the decision certainly rests with the community and the local government," Arie explained.

Community Hopes and School Visit

The local community, represented by traditional leader (Raja Naunu) Henderikus Manbait, responded very positively to this activity. Residents acknowledged they had known about manganese mining since the 1990s and had even managed it manually, but the activity stopped due to several factors.

"We hope there is a solution so that mining can be reopened and the results can be felt by the community," said Henderikus. "Hopefully, with guidance from ITB and the government, mining management can proceed legally," he hoped.

In addition to outreach to residents, the ITB team also held a similar event at SMA Negeri 1 Fatuleu on Wednesday (29/10/2025). This activity aimed to introduce ITB and FTTM, as well as provide insight into the mineral resource potential in Kupang, in order to motivate students to pursue higher education.

Reporter: Muhammad Hanif Darmawan (Mining Engineering, 2021)