Summary of Gold Mining Problems in Indonesia Throughout 2025

Due to the landslide, Freeport is targeting a reduction in gold production in 2026 to 26 tons, down from 33 tons this year.

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2. Martabe Gold Mine

The Martabe gold mine, owned by PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR), was forced to temporarily halt operations after being shut down by the Ministry of Environment (LH) for an environmental audit.

The evaluation of the gold mine, owned by PT United Tractors Tbk. (UNTR), is related to the government's efforts to investigate the causes of major floods and landslides in several areas from Aceh, North Sumatra, to West Sumatra.

The North Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) accused PTAR's Martabe gold mine of exacerbating flooding in North Sumatra by reducing forest and land cover by approximately 300 hectares.

Furthermore, the mine's tailings management facility is located near the Aek Pahu River, which flows through Sumuran Village.

The environmental organization also noted residents' complaints about declining water quality during the rainy season, following the operation of the Ramba Joring Pit in 2017.

The Martabe gold mine's operational area within the concession is located in South Tapanuli Regency and covers an area of 509 hectares as of January 2022.

PTAR operates three open pits: the Ramba Joring Pit, which opened in 2017, the Barani Pit, which opened in 2016, and the Purnama Pit, which opened in 2011.

Throughout 2024, PTAR recorded ore mining of 6.9 million tons, a 21% increase compared to the previous year's 5.7 million tons. Ore milling reached 6.7 million tons, a 1.5% increase compared to 2023.

Furthermore, the company also conducted exploration in the Martabe area and the region. Throughout 2024, the company drilled 37,200 meters.

Meanwhile, PTAR management denies that the company's mining activities exacerbated the flooding in North Sumatra, as the flash flood in Garoga Village is located in a different Garoga River Basin (DAS) and is not connected to PTAR's operations in the Aek Pahu Watershed.

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3. Batu Hijau Mine

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