The Pani Gold Mine is now officially supported by a 30-million volt-ampere (VA) electricity supply from State-Owned Electricity Firm (PLN). This power capacity covers the entire operational needs of the mine, from employee camp facilities to ore processing plants. The supply is almost twice the total electricity capacity currently available to the entire Pohuwato Regency, underscoring the scale and importance of the project for both industry and the surrounding region.
This cooperation follows a power purchase agreement signed in 2023, under which PLN committed to provide a dedicated supply for the Pani Gold Mine, ensuring stable and reliable electricity for its large-scale operations.
The inauguration of the power supply and substation maintenance was held on 1 October 2025 at the Marisa Substation in Paguat District, Pohuwato Regency. From there, electricity flows to the substation of PT Gorontalo Sejahtera Mining (GSM)—one of the mine operators under PT Merdeka Gold Resources Tbk (MGR), which recently listed its shares on the Indonesia Stock Exchange under the ticker EMAS. From GSM’s substation, electricity is distributed across operational sites, from the Pioneer Camp to ore processing facilities such as the Ore Preparation Plant (OPP) and the Adsorption–Desorption–Recovery (ADR) plant. As each facility is completed, electricity connections are immediately commissioned.
In the next phase, the Pani Gold Mine will also utilize renewable electricity through a renewable energy certificate (REC) scheme. This initiative is aligned with the sustainability values of its parent company, PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk. To support this, at the same event, PT GSM, together with PT Pani Bersama Tambang (PBT) and PT Pani Industri Nusantara (PIN), signed an agreement with PT Energy Management Indonesia (EMI), a subsidiary of PLN. The green supply will be sourced from the Bakaru Hydroelectric Plant (PLTA) in Pinrang, South Sulawesi.
The inauguration event was attended by PLN’s Director of Retail and Commerce Adi Priyanto and his team, Pohuwato Regent Saipul A. Mbuinga, Pohuwato Deputy Regent Iwan S. Adam, Speaker of Pohuwato Regional Parliament Beni Nento, as well as representatives of Merdeka and Pani management, including President Director of PT MGR and PT GSM Boyke Poerbaya Abidin, and Director of PT PBT Cahyono Seto.
The power inauguration took place just six hours after the first mining at the Pani Gold Mine. On that occasion, MGR announced the commencement of mining activities after years of preparation, starting with overburden stripping and initial material extraction.
“This will greatly benefit the community,” said Pohuwato Regent Saipul A. Mbuinga. “Electricity operations will increase regional revenue.”
Boyke Poerbaya Abidin, MGR President Director, expressed his appreciation to all employees, their families, and stakeholders. “With the hard work of everyone, we will move on to the next stages,” he said. “This power operation is the gateway to the future phases.”
“The presence of PT GSM in Gorontalo not only makes a strong contribution to the industrial sector, but also brings tangible benefits to local communities,” said PLN Director of Retail and Commerce Adi Priyanto. “When new businesses emerge and grow, it will encourage other enterprises—from shops and laundries to boarding houses.”
With PLN’s total electricity supply of 30 million VA now in operation, the Pani Gold Mine has secured a solid energy foundation to move forward. The availability of this power not only supports mining operations but also plays an important role in strengthening infrastructure development in Pohuwato Regency and the surrounding areas.
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