World’s rarest great ape extinction threat from looming goldmine and dam expansion
Campaigners urge President Prabowo’s administration not to allow the Martabe goldmine and hydropower dam in Batang Toru to expand their operations into Tapanuli orangutan habitat, after last year’s devastating landslides in Sumatra led to an “extinction-level disturbance” for the Critically Endangered species.
More than 1,100 people were killed when Cyclone Senyar hit the Indonesia island of Sumatra in November of last year, causing devastating flood and landslides, which government officials said were made worse by corporate-led deforestation in the vulnerable region.
Wildlife also died in the disaster with the Critically Endangered Tapanuli orangutan, the world’s rarest great ape, estimated to have lost between 4 – 10% of its population, as the landslides destroyed its key habitat in the one place the species calls home, the Batang Toru ecosystem in North Sumatra. It’s estimated 33 – 54 individuals were lost out of a total population of fewer than 800, leading primatologists to described it as an “extinction-level disturbance” for the species.
The Indonesian government was quick to act, revoking the permits of 28 companies operating in the area, including the Martabe gold mine, operated by PT Agincourt Resources, part of the UK conglomerate Jardine-Matheson, and the Batang Toru hydropower dam operated by PT North Sumatra Hydro Energy (NSHE), and owned by Chinese investment company SDIC Power Holdings.
President Prabowo visited the devastated area in December of last year and made a series of public announcements about protecting nature and ending deforestation. To that end the Indonesian government said it was taking over the Martabe goldmine and Batang Toru dam operations and that the assets would be transferred to a new sovereign wealth fund Danantara, the same state agency which this week was handed control of coal, palm and ferro alloys exports by President Prabowo, in a bid to boost state revenues.
The government received pushback for considering the appropriation of two foreign owned entities, and so in another twist, the operations are reported to be resuming this month. Both companies are reported to have paid fines for environmental damages. The output from the Martabe gold mine is expected to be 60,000 oz of gold this year, with a market value of US$ 280 million. It’s reported that the mine paid a 200 billion Indonesian Rupia fine in order to to resume its operations, which equates to US$ 11.4 million, or 4.07% of the expected revenue from the mine this year.
Amanda Hurowitz, Forest Commodities lead at Mighty Earth, said:
“The Indonesian government’s decision to allow the Martabe mine and Batang Toru dam to resume operations makes no sense and completely contradicts President Prabowo’s stated goal to end deforestation and protect nature, in the wake of the devastating Sumatran landslides.”
“The expansion of mining and dam construction in this vulnerable rainforest habitat has left a great ape species, one of our closest relatives, on the brink of extinction. We don’t yet know how many Tapanuli orangutans are likely to be left, which is why there needs to be an IUCN-led survey to determine the impact of the flooding and landslides on the population.”
“We urge President Prabowo to keep his promise and put a permanent stop to the threats looming not just for the Tapanuli orangutan, but for the shattered communities of Sumatra who have lost so much. In a year when a ‘Godzilla El Niño’ is predicted with more extreme weather for Southeast Asia, protecting life in all its forms must come before any corporate interests.”
Mighty Earth is calling for:
- The survey by the North Sumatra BBKSDA (National Conservation Agency), and the Orangutan Information Center, of orangutans in Sumatra and Tapanuli from 2021 to 2023, to be released.
- Additional surveys to gauge the impact of the cyclone on the Tapanuli orangutan population.
- A population habitat viability assessment and a conservation action plan, with the IUCN involved.
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Carole Mitchell, Global Director of Communications
[email protected]
