Waqf-based rehabilitation of former mining land: Cash waqf linked to infrastructure fund (CWL-FRA) and phytomining models for sustainable economic growth

Abstract

Background: Abandoned mining lands in Indonesia face severe environmental degradation caused by heavy metal contamination, limiting their agricultural and productive potential. Rehabilitation therefore requires an approach that simultaneously addresses environmental pollution, economic recovery, and social development. This study aims to develop a cash waqf-based rehabilitation model integrating Islamic social finance with phytomining technology for sustainable post-mining land recovery. Methods: This study employed a literature review to identify relevant concepts and develop an integrated operational model combining a Cash Waqf Linked to Infrastructure Fund (CWL-FRA) with phytomining technology. The model was developed by synthesizing literature on cash waqf, sustainable financing, phytoremediation, phytomining, post-mining land rehabilitation, and socio-economic development. Findings: The proposed model allocates cash waqf through an infrastructure fund to finance land rehabilitation, while phytomining is employed to extract heavy metals from contaminated soil. The model proposes that the resulting biomass could be processed into bio-ore and subsequently converted into nickel salt for industrial commercialization. Revenue generated from these activities is reinvested to sustain rehabilitation operations and support Islamic socio-economic programs, including pesantren and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The model demonstrates potential to transform degraded mining land into a productive asset while generating ecological, economic, and social benefits. Conclusion: The integration of CWL-FRA and phytomining provides a potentially sustainable framework for post-mining land rehabilitation by linking environmental restoration with productive financing and socio-economic development. Novelty/Originality of this Article: The novelty lies in integrating cash waqf as an Islamic social finance instrument with phytomining as a green technology within a single commercially oriented rehabilitation model, thereby extending the role of waqf from conventional social financing toward productive environmental restoration and sustainable economic development.