Freeport's 59th Anniversary: Commitment to Safe and Sustainable Operations

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) commemorated its 59th anniversary with deep reflection and respect, remembering nine employees who perished in incidents over the past year. During the anniversary events, PTFI’s management paid tribute to seven employees who died due to a wet material slide incident in the underground Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) mine area on 8 September 2025, and two employees who died in shooting incidents in February and March 2026. ‘We remember them with profound sorrow and respect. Losing family members is deeply tragic for all of us. We hope that in the future, no similar incidents occur, whether slides, shootings, or other events that endanger safety,’ said PTFI President Director Tony Wenas. On this occasion, Tony also inspected the open-pit Grasberg mine and the underground Deep Mill Level Zone (DMLZ), and laid wreaths as a tribute to the victims. He also encouraged all employees to continue operations prioritising safety, while ensuring extra security from security forces given PTFI’s status as a national vital object. ‘Entering its 59th year, PTFI records a long journey as one of the longest-operating companies in Indonesia. 59 years is not a short time. Few companies, especially foreign investments, can survive this long in Indonesia,’ said Tony. Throughout 2025, PTFI contributed around Rp70 trillion to the state in the form of taxes, royalties, dividends, and other revenues. PTFI also continues to commit to providing direct benefits to communities around its operational areas through various social investment programmes. In 2025, Tony continued, PTFI’s social investment value reached nearly Rp2 trillion and will continue to increase by about US$100 million or equivalent to Rp1.5 trillion per year until the end of mining operations. This commitment runs parallel to the company’s contribution in creating jobs, with more than 30,000 employees, around 40% of whom are indigenous Papuans. ‘Going forward, we are optimistic that this contribution can continue to increase, in line with the still relatively high mineral commodity prices. In addition, we consistently implement strict safety and operational standards as part of our commitment to responsible mining practices,’ said Tony. It is known that PTFI’s operations are currently in the recovery phase after the incidents, with production levels now at around 40–50%. The company targets returning to near 100% by the end of this year and reaching full capacity in the early quarter of next year. Tony emphasised that PTFI continues to strengthen safety aspects in the recovery of underground mining operations, as well as adding security personnel in the Grasberg area to ensure safe and sustainable production. ‘We are committed to delivering safe, secured, and sustainable production, so that the maximum benefits can continue to be felt by the nation and state, as well as the communities around the operational areas. We will continue to grow and develop together with the community until the end of mining operations,’ said Tony.