NHM Engages with UNPAD Study Club, Donates Authentic Gosowong Gold Mine Rock Specimens
The intersection of industry and academia took center stage at Study Club 2: “Introduction to Hydrothermal Alteration,” organized by the Learning Division of SEG UNPAD SC on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Before hundreds of students from the Faculty of Geological Engineering (FTG) at Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD), PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (NHM) participated not merely as a presenter, but as a mentor and partner committed to developing the next generation of geoscientists. In a further demonstration of this commitment, NHM donated authentic rock specimens from the Gosowong Gold Mine, bringing real-world industry experience directly into the classroom and giving students hands-on access to Indonesia’s natural resources as a foundation for research and learning.
The event was held at Bale Rucita, UNPAD Rectorate Building, and moderated by Dr. Aton Patonah, Head of the FTG Quality Assurance Unit. In his opening remarks, Dr. Aton expressed appreciation for NHM’s participation, acknowledging the rarity of direct industry engagement. “We are grateful for NHM’s presence, as it is not easy to have industry experts engage directly despite their busy schedules. This also demonstrates the importance of alumni connections as a bridge between campus and the professional world,” he said.
Three senior NHM practitioners led the session, each sharing first-hand experience across different facets of mining operations. Bahrudin Abiad, Underground Mining Manager at Kencana, opened with a comparative study of best practices in underground mining at Gosowong. Rendy Nurdianto, NHM Exploration Manager, followed with a discussion on hydrothermal alteration characteristics in epithermal deposits, using the Gosowong Gold Mine as a case study. Dharma Irwanda, NHM Geology Superintendent, closed the session by examining the critical role of drilling accuracy in successful mineral exploration and mining operations.
Beyond sharing knowledge, NHM donated specimens of altered rock and mineralization samples collected from the Gosowong Vein deposit, tangible indicators of economic gold mineralization that give students a direct window into hydrothermal alteration processes.
“With these altered rock and mineralization samples from Gosowong, students can directly observe the outcomes of hydrothermal activity associated with economically significant gold deposits. These specimens serve as an ideal teaching resource and a reference point for identifying alteration zones and exploration models for future gold mineralization,” Rendy explained.
The session gave students a valuable opportunity for direct dialogue with industry professionals, transforming the classroom into an interactive forum on the realities and challenges of the mining industry. Through its participation, NHM reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing future geologists, not only by sharing technical knowledge, but by building lasting ties with academia and helping young professionals develop the competence, confidence, and readiness to enter the workforce.
