- Martabe Gold Mine exploration plan by PT. Agincourt Resources' visit to the Batang Toru ecosystem area received a response from environmental activists in North Sumatra. Batang Toru is an important ecosystem for the Tapanuli orangutan species whose status is Critically Endangered.
- Exploration will endanger the habitat of the increasingly rare Tapanuli orangutan and increase the potential for extinction .
- The results of the WALHI North Sumatra study show that the Agincourt work contract area overlaps with the protected forest areas in North Tapanuli [8,170 ha], Central Tapanuli [9,625 ha], and South Tapanuli [12,835 ha].
- WALHI North Sumatra asked that the Agincourt work area which overlaps with the protected forest in Tapanuli be reduced and that there be law enforcement to cancel and review the company's permit in the Batang Toru ecosystem area .
Martabe Gold Mine exploration plan by PT. Agincourt Resources' visit to the Batang Toru ecosystem area received a response from environmental activists in North Sumatra. Batang Toru is an important ecosystem for the Tapanuli orangutan species whose status is Critically Endangered.
Andi Mutakin, Executive Director of Satya Bumi , stated that it is feared that exploration will encroach on conservation areas. These concerns were proven, because in January 2024, Agincourt announced that it was expanding its exploration area to the northern part that overlaps with the Batang Toru KBA [ Key Biodiversity Area ].
"Exploration will endanger the increasingly rare habitat of the Tapanuli orangutan and increase the potential for extinction," he explained, Tuesday [6/2/2024].
The Martabe concession is the largest in the Batang Toru ecosystem area, namely 130,429 ha. The active mining area as of January 2022 is 509 ha. Of this number, 114 ha overlaps with the Batang Toru ecosystem. Meanwhile, the total projected mining area reaches 918 ha, of which 341 ha will overlap with the Batang Toru ecosystem.
Andi said the company said it complied with all mitigation strategy recommendations, including not expanding mining activities, only operating in other use areas [APL].
ARRC-IUCN recommends assessing alternative options for expanding the mining project, especially to the south away from the habitat of the Tapanuli orangutan . In this way, we can avoid the significant impact of orangutan extinction and destruction of their habitat.
“The exploration plans submitted to the Batang Toru KBA must be reconsidered. "We also urge Agincourt to immediately implement the ARRC-IUCN recommendations," he said.
WALHI North Sumatra Regional Executive Director Rianda Purba, said the Martabe Gold Mine is in Batang Toru District, North Sumatra, with an area of 1,639 square km.
The results of the WALHI North Sumatra study show that there are seven points that must be considered regarding the presence of this company.
One , the Agincourt work contract area overlaps with protected forest areas in North Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli and South Tapanuli Regencies, covering an area of 30,629 ha.
Two , the company's contract of work area overlaps with the upstream of five watersheds, namely Sipan Sihaporas, Batang Toru, Garoga, Tapus, and Badiri, which are the main source of life for nearly 100,000 downstream communities.
Three , the Agincourt area overlaps with 27,792 ha of the Batang Toru Ecosystem, which is proposed to be a national strategic area .
Four , the company's territory overlaps with primary forest which is the last habitat of the Tapanuli orangutan. Also, it overlaps with the habitats of the Sumatran tiger and pangolin, both of which have Critical Status.
Lima , the company area is in a high ground movement vulnerability zone in North Sumatra, where the danger of landslides threatens the survival of local residents.
Six , company area in the epicenter of the North Sumatra earthquake. Seven , forest clearing by land speculators in primary forest areas around companies is a major threat [indirect mining effects] which increases deforestation.
"Based on the Minister of Forestry's Decree 529 concerning Designation of North Sumatra Forest Areas, the Agincourt work contract area overlaps with protected forest areas in North Tapanuli Regency [8,170 ha], Central Tapanuli [9,625 ha], and South Tapanuli [12,835 ha]. "The area must be clear," said Rianda, Friday [9/2/2024].
Based on the North Sumatra WALHI study since 2022, there are several recommended points. One , encouraging the reduction of the Agincourt work area which overlaps with the protected forest in Tapanuli.
Two , encourage law enforcement to cancel and review company permits in the Batang Toru ecosystem area .
Three , carry out mapping of village areas around the company's operational areas to avoid tenure conflicts.
"This also protects the livelihood sources of the local community in the future," he said.
Company description
Katarina Siburian Hardono, Senior Manager Corporate Communications PT. Agincourt Resources said, according to the agreed work contract, exploration was carried out in the Tor Ulu Ala area, north of the mine, around one hectare. This area is outside the boundaries of the protected forest area and no development is taking place.
Exploration is carried out to understand mineral deposits and the suitability of areas for mining.
"After going through a detailed planning and preparation phase, including mapping biodiversity risks and mitigation measures related to its operations, Martabe will begin targeted exploration and development," he explained, Monday [12/2/2024].
According to Katarina, the Martabe Gold Mine is operated using a controlled development method. Each stage of mining, including exploration, is evaluated and monitored by a Biodiversity Advisory Panel using relevant scientific methodology.
"After drilling, the location was rehabilitated by planting local trees."
Throughout 2023, the company is working on a Biodiversity Action Plan in close consultation with the Biodiversity Advisory Panel. On the panel's recommendation, a 101 ha area originally intended for a new dry tailings facility has been cancelled.
"In 2024, community patrols around the area will be carried out to minimize human conflict with the Tapanuli orangutan," he explained.
In addition, the company is involved in conservation initiatives by establishing an orangutan research station. The aim is to develop ecosystem and biodiversity protection programs.
"Biodiversity protection initiatives outside the gold mining area are also planned, so that the Batang Toru forest is maintained," he said.
The Tapanuli orangutan [ Pongo tapanuliensis ], which lives in the Batang Toru Ecosystem, North Sumatra, was officially declared a new species, in November 2017. This orangutan is the third species living in Indonesia, apart from the Sumatran orangutan [ Pongo abelii ] and the Kalimantan orangutan [ Pongo pygmaeus ].
The Indonesian government has designated the Tapanuli orangutan as a protected species based on the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia No.P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 concerning Determination of Protected Plant and Animal Types.
Based on the IUCN , the status of the Tapanuli oragutan is Critically Endangered (CR) or one step towards extinction in the wild. The population, estimated at no more than 800 individuals [Wich et al . 2016] that live in very limited habitats.
Tags:
Taza Tareen