Baru sees data show illegal mining's effect on Sangihe

Executive Summary

• Baru Gold’s baseline environmental data were used by a local university to quantify damage from illegal mining on Sangihe Island.
• The study confirms significant increases in arsenic, lead and mercury in water and sediment linked to unregulated activities in 2023.
• Baru emphasizes its commitment to transparent monitoring and plans to share the findings with Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to support a transition to regulated production.

Key Details

• The university report relied on pre‑mining environmental sampling collected by Baru as part of its AMDAL permit requirements.
• Heavy‑metal concentrations (arsenic, lead, mercury) have risen markedly in water and sediment where illegal mining occurred.
• Illegal mining also caused extensive mangrove loss, coral reef damage, and raised potential health risks for local communities.
• CEO Terrence Filbert stated that the community now prefers Baru’s permitted, monitored operations over unregulated mining to create jobs while protecting the environment.
• Baru will forward the university report to relevant Indonesian ministries to aid regulatory action against illegal miners.
• The Sangihe gold project covers ~25,000 ha with a NI 43‑101 resource; only 10 % of the area has been explored.
• Baru holds a 70 % interest in PT Tambang Mas Sangihe (TMS), the CoW holder; the remaining 30 % is owned by Indonesian partners.
• The CoW agreement provides a 30‑year term once production commences, and Baru has secured its environmental permit.

Notable Quotes

“Residents understand the difference between destructive, unregulated operations, and Baru Gold's permitted, monitored and accountable approach… This growing awareness has strengthened local support for Baru's project as the only pathway to achieve both economic opportunity and environmental protection on the island.” – Terrence Filbert, CEO, Baru Gold Corp.