Freeport Boss Stresses Investment Commitment at Indonesia's 81st Independence Day Commemoration

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) held a ceremony to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s independence in Tembagapura, Mimika, Central Papua. The ceremony was led by PTFI President Director Tony Wenas as Inspector of Ceremony on Monday morning (17/8/2026).

In his address, Tony stressed the importance of a shared spirit of resurgence to overcome the operational challenges and security disruptions the company has faced over the past year. In line with the national theme for Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day, PTFI adopted the sub-theme ‘One Freeport from Eastern Indonesia, We Rise Together’.

‘One Freeport with one determination and goal, namely to run production safely and securely in order to continue contributing to the nation and state. This is in line with the theme of a Sovereign, Just and Prosperous Indonesia,’ Tony said in his remarks at the PTFI Sporthall field in Tembagapura on Monday (17/8/2026).

The ceremony was also attended by representatives of regional government officials, local police and military leaders, and members of PTFI’s board of commissioners and directors.

A total of 2,281 participants were recorded attending celebrations at six locations: 770 people in Tembagapura, 440 in Kuala Kencana, 445 at PT Smelting, 320 at the PTFI smelter, 10 in Nabire, and 300 in Jakarta.

A total of 277 employees received awards for more than 25 years of service, comprising 188 employees in Tembagapura and 89 employees in Kuala Kencana.

The ceremony was conducted solemnly and broadcast live online. The flag-raising team consisted of students from the Jayawijaya Education Foundation (YPJ) junior high school and PTFI employees.

Furthermore, the company is currently in the operational recovery phase with a target of reaching 65% production capacity by the end of the second half of this year. Although not yet operating at full capacity, the company projects that its contribution to state revenue in 2026 could reach Rp 47 trillion.

‘Next year it will certainly be even higher because next year we can reach 75% in the first semester and by the end of next year we will be heading towards 100%. And once we are at 100%, the contribution to the state could be extraordinarily large, more than Rp 100 trillion, perhaps Rp 120 trillion annually,’ he explained.

For future production sustainability, the company continues to accelerate development of the Kucing Liar underground mine, which has absorbed investment of Rp 24 trillion. The project, with a total budget of Rp 72 trillion, is projected to produce 7 billion pounds of copper and 6 million ounces of gold over its operational life.

‘This investment shows that amid the recovery period, Freeport Indonesia continues to move forward and build the foundation for the company’s sustainability and its benefits for the nation and state,’ he added.

The company has also submitted an application for an extension of its Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK) beyond 2041, in line with downstreaming progress in Gresik.

‘This step is very important to ensure mining conservation, long-term investment sustainability, maintaining jobs for around 30,000 workers, and sustaining contributions to the state,’ he concluded.