Government revokes goldmine and hydropower dam licenses in Sumatra after deadly floods
Amanda Hurowitz, Forest Commodities Lead at Mighty Earth, said:
“This is the news we have been waiting for – and the deep breath the Batang Toru ecosystem desperately needed.”
“The cyclone that hit this vulnerable region at the end of last year led to devastating floods and loss of life, exacerbated by the expansion into the rainforest of projects such as the Martabe gold mine and the hydropower dam, both completely unsuitable for the steep slopes of Batang Toru.
“In the wake of this tragedy, President Prabowo is moving at speed to protect people and nature as he promised to do. The revocation of permits comes the day after his government announced legal action against six companies, including PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy and PT Agincourt Resources, the operators of the dam and the mine.
“This is a pivotal moment for the people of Batang Toru and for its wildlife, particularly the world’s rarest great ape, the Tapanuli orangutan. The Indonesian government must now act to permanently end any further deforestation. And to begin work, as it has indicated, to restore the damage that has been done, prevent any further loss of human life, and offer a future for the Tapanuli orangutan.”
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For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Carole Mitchell, Global Director of Communications
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Sydney Jones, Press Secretary, based in Washington D.C.
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About Mighty Earth
Mighty Earth is a global advocacy organization working to defend a living planet. Our goal is to protect Nature and secure a climate that allows life to flourish. We are obsessed with impact, and our team has achieved transformative change by persuading leading industries to dramatically reduce deforestation and climate pollution throughout their global supply chains in palm oil, rubber, cocoa, and animal feed, while improving livelihoods for Indigenous and local communities across the tropics.
