PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk through its subsidiary PT Mentari Alam Persada (MAP), started the construction of an 8.9-kilometer access road to the mining area (bypass road) that connects the Trans Sulawesi road to the mine site in Hulawa Village, Buntulia District, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo, Thursday (22/9/2022).

The construction of this 10-meter-wide road uses the basic materials of macadam to support the mining activities of the Pani Gold Project, which is a gold mining project jointly managed by PT Puncak Emas Tani Sejahtera (PETS), PT Gorontalo Sejahtera Mining (GSM) and PT Pani Bersama Tambang (PBT).

"This gold mining project is a very massive investment with an investment of IDR 10 trillion. A huge project that will bring benefits to everyone," said Vice President Director of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Simon James Milroy.

On the right and left of the road, a drainage of 3 meters wide each will be built and a corridor for other uses 9 meters wide. The total road openings will be 25 meters wide, according to a press statement from PT Merdeka Mining Service.

In addition to Simon, present at the opening ceremony of the project included Pohuwato Regent Saipul Mbuinga and his staff and President Director of PT PETS and PT GSM Boyke Poerbaya Abidin.

"This road project confirms that this gold mining project is about to start. The district government would like to thank the company for opening up business opportunities for local entrepreneurs," said Regent Saipul.

"We convey to the investors to be consistent in protecting the environment and "the community is asked to maintain a conducive atmosphere given the large investment," he said again.

This bypass road construction project is expected to take about a year. Along with road construction, a 7x105 meter bridge will also be built that can withstand loads of up to 150 tons.

For the needs of the construction of this bypass road, the company has carried out land acquisition by guaranteeing the rights of landowners in a fair manner, Simon said.

Mining business activities will prioritize local contractors and local resources, with 2,000 to 3,000 employees when production begins, he added.

The bypass road was built so that the activities of the local community were not disrupted because the company in the future will use this new road in most of its operations.

The company will also provide access guarded by officers to ensure the safety of nearby residents passing by, Simon said.

Meanwhile, community representatives who attended the meeting asked companies to pay more attention to the recruitment of local workers from their area, improve existing road access, and support other community activities.

Source: https://www.beritasatu.com/ekonomi/980159/merdeka-copper-gold-bangun-jalan-tambang-rp-10t-di-gorontalo