Martabe gold mine starts receiving power supply from PLN

PT Agincourt Resources, which operates the Martabe gold mine in North Sumatra, started on Thursday receiving power supply from state-owned electricity firm PT PLN with total capacity of 30.1 MVA to support the mining operation.

Agincourt signed on Friday the electricity sales and purchase agreement with PLN.

Agincourt Deputy President Director Linda Siahaan said in a statement that the power supply from PLN will provide energy cost saving of around US$4-5 million per year for the company. ?This will be one of the efficiency programs and production optimization activities which are quite significant for the Martabe gold mine via the Martabe Improvement Program,? she said.

Since starting production in 2012, the company had been relying on power supply from diesel generators provided by third party. The company had requested for electricity supply from PLN since 2009, but due to power supply deficit in North Sumatra in the past, PLN could not yet fulfill the request. Following the operation of new power plants and revitalization of older plants, allowing the North Sumatra system to enjoy power surplus, PLN has now finally been able to provide power supply for the Martabe mine.

Senior Manager Corporate Communications PT Agincourt Resources, Katarina Siburian Hardono added that her company is a premium ?platinum? customer of PLN, which means that the company is ensured with reliable and uninterrupted power supply from the utility firm to support its gold production activities.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak