PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR), operator of the Martabegold mine in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra, has expressed condolences over the devastating floods and landslides that struck several regencies in North Sumatra, while firmly denying allegations that its operations were linked to the disaster.

In a statement released this week, the company conveyed sympathy to affected communities in Central Tapanuli, Sibolga, South Tapanuli, and Padang Sidempuan, where extreme weather triggered widespread destruction, casualties, and mass displacement.

“We extend our deepest condolences to families of the victims and to communities suffering from injuries, health issues, or forced displacement. We hope the situation stabilizes soon and recovery proceeds safely,” the company said in a statement on Friday, November 28, 2025.

PTAR addressed circulating claims that the floods were linked to upstream land degradation near its concession. The company said the flash floods in Garoga village occurred in the Garoga/Aek Ngadol watershed, which it said is separate from the Aek Pahu basin where its operations are located.

“Our monitoring found no wood material in the Aek Pahu watershed that could be associated with debris found in the flooded areas,” PTAR said, adding that it supports a comprehensive government-led investigation into all possible contributing factors.

Emergency assistance

PTAR said it has mobilized extensive emergency support since the first day of the disaster. The company established four relief posts in Batu Hula, Sumuran, Sopo Daganak, and the local subdistrict office, with combined capacity for more than 700 people. These hubs include health services, public kitchens, and volunteer cooks.

The company’s assistance also includes food and basic supplies, clothing and sanitation kits for evacuees, medical services and medicines delivered to each relief post, and Search and rescue support.

“Safety remains our top priority. We continue to coordinate with local governments, BPBD, TNI/Polri, Basarnas, partners, and volunteers to ensure well-organized evacuation and aid distribution,” the company said.

Meanwhile, Environmental group Satya Bumi argued that the flooding cannot be attributed solely to extreme weather and tropical cyclones. The organization said decades of ecological degradation in the Batang Toru ecosystem have worsened the impact of heavy rainfall.

The most severe flooding occurred in South Tapanuli and Central Tapanuli, areas that according to the NGO have suffered extensive deforestation in upstream areas of the Batang Toru watershed.

“Reduced forest cover has weakened the environment’s capacity to absorb water. When extreme rainfall occurs, water flows rapidly downstream carrying logs from degraded upland forests,” Satya Bumi campaigner Riezcy Cecilia Dewi said on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

The group said that widespread land clearing, unsustainable land use, and unstable soil conditions have contributed to the scale of the disaster. “Floods like these are not merely natural events; upstream damage plays a major role,” Riezcy said.

Batang Toru is the only habitat of the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan, and environmental groups have long warned that industrial expansion poses a serious threat to the ecosystem.

Mining activities in the area began in the late 1990s under PT Danau Toba Mining, whose early concession spanned more than 659,000 hectares before being reduced to about 130,000 hectares by 2018.

Authorities have not yet issued a formal conclusion on the causes of the disaster. The Environment and Forestry Ministry, Public Works Ministry, and regional governments are conducting assessments of watershed conditions, forest cover loss, and infrastructure damage.

PTAR said it will comply fully with government investigations. “We remain committed to transparent cooperation and to supporting affected communities throughout the recovery process,” the company said.