Maintain Frequent Stability, 2 Freeport Mining Will Not Be Exploited

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir confirmed that two gold mines and giant mines belonging to Freeport Indonesia, namely Ertsberg and Grassberg, at the peak of Papua, will not be completely exploited.

This is to maintain and monitor slope stability.

"Grasberg is the second mine owned by PTFI, apart from Ertsberg. At both points, mining is not 100 percent, for the maintenance and monitoring process of slope stability," said Erick, Thursday, September 1.

As previously reported, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Erick Thohir visited the Freeport Indonesia Grasberg mine for the first time.

The visit was also attended by the Minister of Investment and Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.

Erick said Jokowi's visit to Freeport was a historic thing.

Because, Jokowi is Indonesia's first President to successfully acquire the majority stake owned by the largest gold mine.

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

At Grassberg, the President's entourage toured and entered Freeport mining and witnessed the presentation of Freeport Indonesia's history.

During his visit, 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 is quite enthusiastic about asking Freeport's management for mining status. One of them is related to mining at Ertsberg and Grasberg.

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

"There is no 100 percent mining at Ertsberg and Grassberg anymore. Now it is reclamation and we are monitoring the stability of the slopes," Tony replied.