Batangtoru, 5 November 2020 – PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR), the operator of the Martabe Gold Mine in Batangtoru, South Tapanuli took the initiative to build clean water and sanitation facilities in Batuhoring Village, Batangtoru Sub-district. The project worth IDR 272 million was handed over to the Government and the people of Batuhoring Village on 25 October 2020. Senior Manager Community Relations of PT Agincourt Resources, Pramana Triwahjudi, stated that the construction of clean water and sanitation facilities is part of the PTAR Community Development and Empowerment Program of 2020.
“PTAR helps Batuhoring Village in meeting the need for clean water. Through discussions with the Batuhoring Village Government, Sub-village 1 became the target of this program because it has the largest population. In addition, in Sub-village 1, there is a source of clean water that can be drawn and flowed gravitationally to all village communities,” said Pramana.
Pramana explained that the facilities built by PTAR include a water intake facility, an installation of 1,520 meters of High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) pipe, and 5 water supply facilities with 2 water taps each. According to Pramana, the construction of all the intake facilities and 5 units of water supply facilities was carried out by the people of Batuhoring Village. Meanwhile, the HDPE pipe installation was carried out by CV Erwina Kharisma, a contractor specializing in water piping from Medan. “The total assistance provided is worth IDR 272,624,200,” said Pramana.
This clean water and sanitation facility construction program began in early March 2020 with the construction of intakes and ordering HDPE pipe materials from Medan. However, in the midst of work, the Covid-19 Virus pandemic spread rapidly to various regions in Indonesia. Referring to the PTAR policy regarding health protocols during the pandemic, the program had to be temporarily suspended.
In mid-August 2020, the project was resumed with the implementation of strict health protocols for workers directly supervised by PTAR. “On 25 October 2020, the construction of clean water and sanitation facilities has been completed and handed over to the people of Batuhoring Village. “We hope that this facility assistance can benefit the community, which of course will contribute to improving the quality of life of the people of Batuhoring Village,” said Pramana.
The Head of Batuhoring Village, Derikson Tua Pandiangan, expressed his deep gratitude to PTAR for assistance in constructing clean water facilities. “This will definitely be very beneficial for our villagers,” said Derikson.
Batuhoring is one of the villages in Batangtoru Sub-district which is not included in the Directly Affected Villages (DAV) of the Martabe Gold Mine. However, the 6 sub-villages in Batuhoring village really need access to clean water facilities. So far, the village community has used river water for clean water and other daily needs.
Senior Manager Corporate Communications of PT Agincourt Resources, Katarina Siburian Hardono stated that the project for the construction of clean water and sanitation facilities in Batuhoring Village is one of PTAR’s community empowerment programs to create conditions for economic and social progress by involving active participation and initiatives of the community, especially those carried out near the mining operation areas and in rural or remote areas with limited access to public services.
The company implements a wide-ranging community development program, covering nearby villages (Ring 1), other surrounding areas including Muara Batangtoru and South Tapanuli (Ring 2), and also other areas at the national level (Ring 3). However, the Company’s support for community empowerment remains focused on 15 Directly Affected Villages, namely the villages in the Batangtoru and Muara Batangtoru Sub-districts.
Photo 1: Children of Batu Horing Village residents rejoice over the construction of clean water facilities in their village.
Photo 2: Residents of Batu Horing Village and PTAR representatives photographed together during the inauguration and handover of the construction of clean water facilities in Batu Horing Village.
