Accompanying Jokowi To Grasberg Mine, Erick Thohir: Historic Visit

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir accompanied President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) for the first time visiting the Grasberg mine managed by PT Freeport Indonesia.

Erick said this visit was a historic thing. Because Jokowi is Indonesia's first president to successfully acquire the majority stake belonging to the largest gold mine.

During the visit, the Minister of Investment and Head of BKPM, Bahlil Lahadalia, and Cabinet Secretary, Pramono Anung, also participated.

"This visit is historic and symbolically shows the government's commitment to managing its own natural resources for the benefit of the entire community", Erick said in a written statement, Thursday, September 1.

At Grasberg, the presidential entourage toured and entered Freeport mining and witnessed the historical presentation of PT Freeport Indonesia.

"Of course, the history of the past has been recorded and we happened to witness the presentation. With hard work, I am optimistic that in the future Freeport Indonesia's new history under Mind Id will provide more benefits to the economy of the Papuan people and Indonesia", he said.

During his visit, President Jokowi was greeted by the President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) Tony Wenas, and one of his commissioners, Richard Adkerson.

The group who traveled on land to the mine site also visited the Bunaken Museum to get an explanation of the mining history of PTFI.

Jokowi was quite enthusiastic about asking Freeport's management for mining status.

For example, Jokowi had asked about mining at Ertsberg and Grasberg.

Getting the question, Tony explained, Grasberg is the second mine, while the first mine is Ertsberg.

"There is no 100 percent mining at Ertsberg and Grasberg anymore. Now it is reclamation and we maintain the stability of the slope", Tony replied.

While seeing the open mining area of PTFI from Grasberg, Jokowi also talked with Richard Adkerson.

After being at Grasberg for two hours, the President and Mrs. Iriana along with their entourage continued their journey to underground mining.