Jakarta, 11 October 2024 – PT Agincourt Resources, the operator of Martabe Gold Mine, won the 2024 Subroto Award for the Most Innovative Mineral Community Development and Empowerment (PPM) in the Education Category from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR). The Subroto Award is the highest award from the Ministry of EMR to stakeholders who have played a role in advancing the energy and mineral resources sector in the last 1 year.
Agincourt Resources Vice President Director, Ruli Tanio, said that since operating, the Company has not only focused on gold exploration and production activities, but is also committed to improving the welfare of the surrounding community through various social programs. One of the main focuses is education which is considered the key to creating a better future.
“This award serves as a marker for us to continue innovating and collaborating with various parties to build a better community through education. As we believe that education is the foundation for creating sustainable change. This success does not only belong to the company, but also to the community who have actively participated in each of our initiatives,” said Ruli.
This year, the Subroto Award for the seventh time and the peak of the 79th Anniversary of Mining and Energy was presented by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo accompanied by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia in Jakarta, Thursday (10/10/2024). PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) took home the Subroto Award for the Non-Formal Education Development Program in the Field of Arts and Culture for Children and Teenagers through Sopo Daganak Art Centre.
Ruli added that through the 2024 Subroto Award, Martabe Gold Mine shows that investment in education and community development is an integral part of corporate social responsibility. This is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially goal 4, namely ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and increasing lifelong learning opportunities for all.
“The company is committed to always supporting sustainable development goals and creating a real positive impact on community,” said Ruli.
Senior Manager Community of Agincourt Resources, Christine Pepah, said that the non-formal education program in the arts and culture for children and teenagers through Sopo Daganak Art Centre aims to improve the quality and capacity of human resources in 14 directly affected villages.
“We believe that it is very important to develop multiple intelligences that do not only focus on formal education in schools, but also education to develop children’s interests, talents and creativity through non-formal education outside of school,” said Christine.
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The program began in 2009. At that time, PTAR built one Children Reading Park (TBA) in Napa Village, Batang Toru, South Tapanuli. After the benefits were felt by many people, the Company gradually built 13 other TBAs. PTAR also provides supporting facilities in the form of reading books and various educational games. After the construction was completed, the TBA facilities were handed over to the village government.
Then, in 2018, PTAR built an extracurricular activity centre in the form of amphitheatre that is safe and child-friendly with a capacity of around 500 people in Napa Village. The activity centre is named Sopo Daganak.
“The activities carried out in this program are to balance intellectual (cognitive)-based education with character education. Various character learning methods are applied in TBA and Sopo Daganak Art Centre,” said Christine.
The methods referred to include learning storytelling, poetry, colouring, dancing, drama, modern music, and English courses. Local cultural preservation activities are also carried out in this location, including traditional music gondang topap, gondang toba, and gordang sambilan.
PTAR’s commitment in the field of non-formal arts and culture education has yielded proud results. Sopo Daganak Art Centre won second place at Nusantara Cultural Heritage Festival in Jakarta last May and will represent Indonesia in a cultural event in Turkey in November.
Dastri Sejoli, Chairperson of Persada, said six dancers aged 14-17 years old from Batang Toru will perform four dances in Turkey, including Tortor Hata Sopisik Dance and Saman Dance. Perkumpulan Sahabat Cerdas (Persada) is a community-based organisation that is a partner of PTAR in TBA and Sopo Daganak programs.
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“It never crossed the minds of the children that they would perform dancing abroad. They are very proud of the achievement, and they are very confident to be able to show their skills in Turkey later,” said Dastri. She hopes that in the future more children from Batang Toru will be able to play a role in the arts and culture field, both nationally and internationally.
