Freeport Files Opening Of Big Goosan And DMZ Mining Operations

Mining (Photo: Doc Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) revealed that PT Freeport Indonesia has submitted an operational disbursement of the Big Goosan mine and Deep Mile Level Zone (DMLZ) mine after the underground mine landslide at the Grassberg Block Cave (GBC) and stopped its operations.

Asa knows that the PTFI mining area consists of locations, namely DMLZ, GBC and Big Goosan.

Director General of Mineral and Coal Tri Winarno said that his party had just received a proposal for the two mines to be operated again because the two locations were not affected.

"While they want a proposal, there is no influence from there, yes, I want a proposal for production there," he told the media crew in Minahasa, Thursday, October 30.

Tri said that the operational permit could be granted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources because there were no problems in the two mines.

"For example, in areas that have no influence, do we not give it?" said Tri.

Tri added that Freeport was still evaluating after the wet material avalanche incident that occurred in the GBC underground mine. For this reason, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has not allowed the mine to operate again.

"If the repairs are okay. But make sure we don't have a similar incident there," he said.

Previously, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that he had also communicated with the President Director of PT Feeport Indonesia, Tony Wenas regarding the right time to return to mining production activities.

Bahlil said the underground mining repair process would begin next month. However, it will begin with a total audit so that exciting events do not happen again in the future.

"We can start production, but I say we will have a total audit first. God willing, in the next month there will be signs of improvement," said Bahlil.

Previously, Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX) revealed that the operation of the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) underground mine will only return to normal in 2027. This is the impact of the landslide incident that occurred since September 8, 2025 ago.

"The target is to return to production levels before the incident in 2027," McMoRan management wrote, quoted Thursday, September 25.

Management said the incident occurred in the PB1C production block but damaged the infrastructure needed to support other production areas.

"PTFI is evaluating the impact of the incident on the production plan. Production projections will be adjusted to the required repair schedule as well as the restart stage and increased production," the management continued.