Agincourt Rejects Claims Its Mining Contributed to North Sumatra Floods

December 3, 2025 | 11:52 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR), operator of the Martabe gold mine in North Sumatra, Indonesia, has rejected accusations that its mining operations contributed to the recent flash floods and landslides in South Tapanuli, which killed dozens of residents and displaced thousands.

The company described the claims as “premature and inaccurate,” and released findings from its initial assessment of the disaster.

The flash floods struck Batang Toru District late last week after days of torrential rain linked to Cyclone Senyar, sweeping away homes and cutting off several communities.

As rescue efforts continued, questions emerged from civil society groups and local residents over whether land clearing linked to mining activities may have worsened the impacts.

In a written statement on Tuesday, December 2, PTAR cited the impact of Cyclone Senyar, which brought extreme rainfall to the region.

The company argued that the Garoga River could not contain the surge of runoff, saying the situation was worsened by “massive blockages of wood debris” at two bridges, namely Garoga I and Anggoli (Garoga II).

PTAR maintained that its operations are located in the Aek Pahu watershed, which is hydrologically separate from the Garoga watershed, where the flooding occurred.

“Our activities in Aek Pahu are not directly connected to the disaster in Garoga,” the company said.

The miner also highlighted aerial observations conducted via helicopter over the upper Garoga River. The survey identified extensive landslides along river cliffs, including within protected forest areas. These findings, PTAR noted, support the argument that natural factors were the primary cause of the disaster.

However, the company acknowledged that the evidence remains preliminary and “requires further study to identify other potential contributing factors.”

Environmental group Walhi North Sumatra has challenged PTAR’s stance, arguing that the company’s mining operations and land expansion should be scrutinized in relation to the floods.

“PTAR’s main site is in Batang Toru District, very close to the Batang Toru River and not far from the affected area. This is clear from the map,” said Walhi Advocacy Manager Jaka Kelana Damanik.

Jaka referred to the company’s 2020 Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL), which outlined plans to clear 583 hectares of land and cut down 185,884 trees for mine expansion. He said Walhi’s own investigations indicate that this land clearing has already taken place.

“Forest degradation is a major factor increasing flash flood risks in this area,” Jaka said.

He added that PTAR’s concession covers several tributaries, including some that feed into the Garoga watershed. “You cannot look at it from only one side. That is our analysis.”

Nandito Putra contributed to the writing of this article.

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