Jakarta. PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) extends its deepest condolences to the families affected by the devastating flash floods and landslides in Batang Toru, South Tapanuli.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their loved ones, and the wider communities impacted by this tragedy," the company said in its statement.

Amid widespread media reports, PTAR shares its fact-based assessment regarding the narrative linking the disaster in South Tapanuli to the operations of the Martabe Gold Mine.

The company's findings show that directly associating Martabe Gold Mine activities with the flash flood in Garoga Village is a premature and inaccurate conclusion. Using on-site data and verified field observations, the sequence of events can be summarized as follows:

• Cyclone Senyar triggered exceptionally heavy rainfall across South Tapanuli. This extreme weather, statistically representing a 50-year rainfall maximum, drenched northern Sumatra, including the Batang Toru Forest—the upstream area of key rivers in Batang Toru District such as Aek Garoga, Aek Pahu, and the Batang Toru River.

• The initial flooding point was Garoga Village, located within the Garoga sub-watershed, before spreading to neighboring villages, including Huta Godang, Batu Horing, Sitinjak, and Aek Ngadol.

• The flash flood occurred when the Garoga River channel could no longer contain the massive surge of water, worsened by extensive blockages of logs and debris at the Garoga I and Anggoli (Garoga II) bridges. At around 10 a.m. on Nov. 25, the river flow abruptly shifted, merging two tributaries into a new channel that struck Garoga Village directly. Dozens of fatalities have been confirmed, with many still missing.

• PTAR operates in the Aek Pahu sub-watershed, which is hydrologically separate from the Garoga watershed. Although the rivers eventually meet, their confluence lies far downstream of Garoga Village, meaning PTAR’s activities in Aek Pahu are not directly linked to the disaster.

• While some landslides occurred within the Aek Pahu area, no flash flood was observed along that river system. Unlike the Garoga River, Aek Pahu did not experience the intense mud and timber flow that typically triggers massive blockages. The 15 mine-adjacent villages in the Aek Pahu area remained largely unaffected and are now serving as evacuation hubs.

• Aerial inspections by helicopter over the upper Garoga watershed revealed extensive landslides along river cliffs, including within protected forest areas. These landslides are the primary source of the mud and logs found in the river. While these findings are strong early indicators, further studies are needed to fully identify all contributing factors.

• Since the onset of the disaster, PTAR has been part of the first-response effort, conducting search and rescue operations, restoring access routes, and establishing evacuation posts equipped with emergency tents, public kitchens, and community clinics. Working alongside local authorities, the TNI-Polri, and various stakeholders, PTAR continues to mobilize all available resources to ease the burden on affected communities and accelerate recovery.

• PTAR is an integral part of the Batang Toru and South Tapanuli community. The company consistently complies with environmental regulations and conducts mining activities exclusively in non-forest areas. PTAR remains committed to environmental protection -- from water, air, and soil conservation to biodiversity preservation -- in collaboration with both national and global institutions.

"Understanding the immense public concern surrounding this tragedy, we call on all stakeholders to prioritize collaboration, open communication, and responsible information management. This is essential to prevent inaccurate narratives that may hinder ongoing rescue and recovery efforts," the company stated.

At the same time, PTAR fully supports a comprehensive and independent investigation to establish the true causes of the disaster, a critical step toward improving future disaster mitigation.

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