Bali, 20 November 2024 – PT Agincourt Resources, Martabe Gold Mine operator, expressed its views on the challenges and opportunities towards sustainable mineral mining practices at the prestigious ASEAN Mining Conference 2024 forum attended by hundreds of delegates from the mining sector in Southeast Asia.
With the theme “Towards a Sustainable Investment Destination,” the ASEAN Mining Conference which took place in Bali on 18-20 November 2024, was opened by Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot Tanjung, President of ASEAN Federation of Mining Association (AFMA) Rachmat Makassau, and Deputy Secretary General for ASEAN Economic Community H.E Satvinder Singh.
In his speech at the ASEAN Mining Conference, Vice President Director of PT Agincourt Resources, Ruli Tanio, emphasized the importance of the commitment of the industrial sector to transform toward sustainability. With the adoption of green technology, responsible management and cross-sector collaboration, mining can become a sector that is not only economically beneficial, but also has a positive impact on the environment and society.
The topic of sustainability in mining business activities is very interesting right now, and it is indeed very important to implement. On the other hand, from the public’s perspective in general, there is a contradictory impression between mining activities and sustainability aspects. However, what we want to promote in the future is the aspect of sustainability that emphasizes deep collaboration with stakeholders,” said Ruli.
Read Also: Towards Sustainable Mining
According to him, PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) is currently facing several traditional challenges that other mining companies also encounter related to mining, post-mining recovery, and others. To face those challenges, there is no magic formula to solve them.
“We have to mobilize all the best resources, the best engineering experts and the best scientists to work and be the excellent in the operation,” he said.
So far, according to Ruli, PTAR has successfully transformed and transitioned from an initial production capacity of less than 4 million tons per year in 2012 to 7 million tons per year (milled ore). This year, PTAR also successfully transitioned from the wet tailings methodology to dry tailings, which has lower risks.
In addition, PTAR has implemented sophisticated technologies such as ReCYN, Vertimill, and Oxygen Shear Reactor to generate the highest productivity, optimize resources, and create added value.
PTAR, based in Batang Toru, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, demonstrates its commitment to biodiversity management through the establishment of the Biodiversity Advisory Panel (BAP) in 2020. The BAP includes several scientists with expertise in habitat and fauna as well as ecosystem conservation.
“We have established a panel which consists of the leading scientists in Indonesia. This panel facilitates idea and concept sharing with scientists, biologists, and conservationists. Through this panel, you will open your mind to outsider, and different ideas, and you will gain a new perspective.
Besides establishing the BAP, to minimize the business impact on biodiversity, PTAR undertakes various initiatives, including the implementation of biodiversity management procedures, minimizing land clearing through the Land Access Disruption Request (LADR) procedure, establishing in-situ conservation areas, developing nurseries and planting trees inside and outside the Martabe area, and installing arboreal bridges.
Throughout the first semester of 2024, PTAR has planted 4,567 tree seedlings in the reclamation area and 8,860 tree seedlings in the original forest. Meanwhile, the total reclamation area until June 2024 reached 64.52 hectares.
Read Also: Promoting Sustainable Mining, Agincourt Resources Holds Mining Student Olympiad “The 2022 OlympiAR”
Meanwhile, from the perspective of community empowerment, the Company has conducted 76 community development and empowerment programs (PPM) throughout 2023, benefiting 9,407 individuals. PPM covers various fields such as health, education, local economic development, and public infrastructure, targeting communities in 15 villages around the Martabe Gold Mine.
In the Southeast Asia scope, in 2023 PTAR won first place in the ASEAN Mineral Awards (AMA) for the Mineral Processing category. The AMA is a prestigious award to appreciate mining and mineral processing companies that have contributed to the innovation of sustainable mineral development in Southeast Asia.
