Freeport Indonesia's Production Increases Significantly, Management: When COVID-19 Can Be Controlled, Employees Work Without Worry

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Freeport Indonesia)

JAKARTA - PT Freeport Indonesia Director Claus Wamafma said the production of copper ore and gold mining companies operating in Mimika Regency, Papua Province, this year is much higher than in 2020.

"From the production side, hopefully by the end of the year we can achieve the planned target. Compared to last year, of course this year is much better," said Claus in Timika, quoted from Antara, Sunday 12 December.

PT Freeport is grateful for the support of all stakeholders, including employees, the community around the mining site, the government and the TNI-Polri who provide full support for the sustainability of the mining company's operations.

In terms of work safety, this year there were no reports of fatal cases in Freeport's mining operations leading to death.

Over the past few years, Freeport has continued to develop its underground mining production capacity, especially after the open pit production has been completed since 2019.

"For the development of underground mines, everything is going according to plan, there are no obstacles, everything is running normally even though we are facing a serious situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic," said Claus.

The condition of the transmission of COVID-19 in the Freeport company area as well as in Timika, Papua and Indonesia in general, which continues to show a downward trend, is a hope that Freeport's production target in 2022 can be even more maximal.

"When we can control COVID-19 and employees can work well without worrying, it is certain that production will also be maintained. In the end, all stakeholders can benefit from the company's operations," he said.

During the third quarter of 2021, PT Freeport reported an increase in gold and copper ore production, which is claimed to be very significant compared to previous periods.

Based on data published by Freeport McMoran, the total value of Indonesian mining production contributed by Freeport Indonesia until the third quarter of this year reached 956 million pounds for copper ore.

This amount increased by 76.05 percent year-on-year, where in the same period in 2020, the company's total copper ore production was only 543 million pounds.

Then for gold commodities, the total production until the third quarter of 2021 is 968 thousand ounces, an increase of 67.76 percent compared to the previous year, which was at the level of 577 thousand ounces.

The company's copper ore sales data was reported at 946 million pounds, which was up 82.62 percent year-on-year.

For information, in the third quarter of 2020, the company's copper ore sales amounted to 518 million pounds. Meanwhile, the average price set in the sale was 4.21 US dollars per pound, which also increased from last year's level of 2.79 US dollars per pound.

Then, Freeport Indonesia's gold sales reached 957 thousand ounces, an increase of 74.31 percent compared to last year's 549 thousand ounces.

The average price charged for corporate gold is US$1,780 per ounce, which is lower than last year's figure of US$1,810 per ounce.