Pani Gold Project (PGP) is a gold mining project located in Hulawa Village, Buntulia District, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province.

The Pani Gold Project is owned by a subsidiary of PT Merdeka Copper Gold (MDKA), which consists of PT Puncak Emas Tani Sejahtera (PETS), PT Gorontalo Sejahtera Mining (GSM), PT Pani Bersama Tambang (PBT), and PT Mentari Alam Persada (MAP).

Pani Gold Project, MDKA's long-lived future mining project, has a very large mineral resource , containing more than 6.9 million ounces of gold. The mine is projected to produce up to 500,000 ounces of gold per year at peak production.

With an ore production capacity of 19 million tonnes per year, the Pani Gold Project will be a very significant source of revenue for MDKA in the future.

The results of the Feasibility Study (FS) show that the gold mining project has a long life, low costs, and very attractive prospects, with the potential for Earning Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) reaching 7.4 billion United States (US) dollars in the first 10 years of operation.

In addition to the significant economic impact for MDKA, the Pani Gold Project is committed to providing long-term benefits to the surrounding community, especially the residents of Pohuwato Regency.

This is reflected in various empowerment programs that have been launched by MDKA to improve the welfare of communities around the project area.

Community empowerment programs that have been implemented

Pani Gold Project not only focuses on developing the mining sector, but also on improving the quality of life of the surrounding community through various social and economic programs.

The following are several programs that have been implemented to support community development and empowerment in the Marisa City area.

1. Stall and Shop Renovation Program

One of the initiatives launched by Pani Gold Project is the Warung and Shop Renovation program, which aims to support the local economy, especially for shop and shop owners in the area around the mine. The program has been implemented from September to November 2024, with 13 shops and shops being renovated. This renovation program includes updates both in terms of physical buildings and the interior design of the shop to make it neater and more attractive to customers.

The renovation also involved shop owners who were previously part of the Illegal Mining (PETI) group, who were transformed into entrepreneurs with full support from the Pani Gold Project.

The hope is that with better shops, the local economy can grow and more people will come to shop.

"We hope that this activity can run effectively to further drive the wheels of the economy of the people in Marisa City, so that the standard of living of residents and the business climate can continue to be improved," said the representative of the shareholders of Pani Gold Project, Santoso Kartono, in a press release received by Kompas.com, Monday (2/12/2024).

In addition to renovations, the Pani Gold Project also provides food and shopping vouchers for school children and cleaning staff as a form of appreciation and to make it easier for them to buy food.

In the future, the program will be continued with capacity building , namely training for shop owners on business management, finance, and human resources (HR), so that their businesses can grow and be sustainable.

2. Free Nutritious Lunch Program for students and teachers

Pani Gold Project also organizes a Free Nutritious Lunch program for students and teachers in three schools in Pohuwato Regency, which will start in October 2024.

The program aims to help meet the nutritional needs of students, especially during critical periods of growth at elementary school (SD) and junior high school (SMP) ages, so that they can grow optimally and are ready to become a quality generation of the nation's successors.

In running the Free Nutritious Lunch program, Pani Gold Project collaborates with ADEN, a catering company that has international certification in providing nutritious food.

In addition, the program also supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in terms of improving public health.

Santoso Kartono said that in addition to the Nutritious Lunch program, MDKA through the Pani Gold Project has also carried out total renovations for two elementary schools and one junior high school in Hulawa Village, as well as the Assistant Health Center (Pustu).

All these renovations were carried out with the aim of improving the quality of education and health services in the area.

3. Renovation of school and health center facilities

As part of its commitment to infrastructure development in the surrounding area, Pani Gold Project also renovated State Elementary School (SDN) 02 Buntulia, SDN 05 Buntulia, SMPN 02 Buntulia, and Pustu in Buntulia District.

The renovation aims to create a more comfortable and suitable environment for students, teachers, and the community who need health services.

Renovations at the school include upgrading facilities such as a cafeteria equipped with sinks and a kitchen, as well as a hall that can be used for various activities, including art performances or graduation ceremonies.

Pani Gold Project also conducts health and nutrition check-up programs for pregnant women and stunted children , with the aim of reducing stunting rates in the area.

Santoso explained that all these activities were carried out by involving various parties, including the local government (Pemda), the Indonesian National Army (TNI), the police, and the local community.

In fact, he said, the program was also fully supported by the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) of Pohuwato Regency.

Santoso explained that the programs were designed to support and align with central government initiatives.

"I see this as an example of a Gotong Royong program between companies, local governments, the TNI, the police, and the community, who together play a role in accelerating the implementation of central government programs. We hope this can be a model for other entrepreneurs to participate in supporting the acceleration of government programs," Santoso explained.

Appreciation from school and village

One of the initiatives launched by the Pani Gold Project is the Stall and Shop Renovation program.

The programs implemented by the Pani Gold Project have received positive appreciation from various parties.

One of them is from the Principal of SMPN 2 Buntulia, Hermanto Anunu. He expressed his gratitude to Pani Gold Project for providing nutritious lunches to students in three schools in Hulawa Village.

"The government plans to organize a nutritious lunch program for all school students in the near future. Alhamdulillah, Pani Gold Project has initiated this activity (first)," he said.

On that occasion, Hermanto also appreciated the renovation carried out by the Pani Gold Project to improve the quality of school facilities, including the canteen and hall which are now more representative.

"After being renovated, the canteen building is now equipped with a sink and kitchen, while the new hall can also be used for art performances or school graduation ceremonies," he said.

In line with Hermanto, the Head of Buntulia District, Saiful Hunta expressed his gratitude for the renovations carried out and hoped that the Free Lunch activity could be continued on an ongoing basis.

"I appeal to all school residents, from students, teachers, to the principal, to work together to maintain the cleanliness and comfort of the school so that these facilities can be utilized optimally," said Saiful.

The Pani Gold Project is not only a gold mining project that promises profits for MDKA, but also a project that provides real contributions to the surrounding community.

The Pani Gold Project programs reflect how a mining company can play an active role in supporting economic and social development in its operational areas, while also supporting government programs to create more independent and prosperous communities.

Related News