Papua is one of the many places where mining exists. The name of the gold mine in Papua is Grasberg.
This is the largest mine owned by PT. Freeport. There are so many unique facts about this place, so it’s no wonder that its existence is very popular in Indonesia and even abroad.
Some Unique Facts about Gold Mine in Papua
One of the biggest gold mines in the world is Grasberg itself. The second mine following the first is in Ertsberg and popular is Grasberg.
Near Puncak Jaya, Mimika, Papua, is where you’ll find the Grasberg addition. Open pit mining has been done there for more than 50 years by PT Freeport Indonesia.
Managed by PT. Freeport
The government of Indonesia owns 51% of the company managing the Grasberg mine through Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID),
And Freeport McMoran owns the remaining 49%. This is the largest company and is very popular in various countries.
The development of sophisticated tools used for mining is a big factor in the success of the mining process itself.
That is why this mine is one of the largest gold mines in the world. Moreover, the number of mining products is very large and also abundant.
The Largest Mine in the World
The Grasberg mine, which has a 400 thousand metric ton capacity, is the biggest mine in the entire globe.
The second-largest copper reserves in the world are popular to exist at this mine. Additionally, Grasberg is home to the world’s greatest gold reserves.
In fact, among gold mines around the world, the Grasberg mine still holds first place as the largest mine in the world.
Moreover, the many mining products which are very abundant and exported to various countries, it has made his name even more famous.
Produced an Abundance of Gold and Copper
The open pit and underground mines of the Grasberg ore district. 528 trillion ounces of copper and 53 million ounces (Moz) of gold have reportedly been produced at Grasberg.
This includes 46 Moz of gold and more than 432 Moz of copper from the Grasberg open pit, both calculated from 1990 to 2019.
From these results, you can be sure that this gold mine has become increasingly famous since its establishment until now, not only among the local community but also internationally.
The government expects the economy in Papua to be more advanced.
Grasberg Saves the Impact of Natural Damage
According to studies conducted in 2003, the area’s environmental conditions were in danger due to the disorganized Grasberg mine waste management infrastructure.
Grasberg disposes of at least 25,000 tons of trash per day in rivers, and in mountain valleys.
However, this is not where the issue ends. The Amungme and Komoro people who live close to the mining area continue to face dangers to their way of life.
The problem persisted across multiple generations. Mining operations have therefore destroyed culture and split tribes.
Grasberg Open Pit Mine Ends and Closes in 2019
2019 saw the closure of the Grasberg open pit mine. This is done to preserve and keep an eye on slope stability.
Although, the open pit mine getting off, PT Freeport Indonesia will continue mining in the vicinity of the underground mine.
It is because it has been granted special mining business permission through 2041.
About 1,700 meters below the surface of the 4,200-meter-high Grasberg plateau is where Freeport’s underground mine is located (masl).
This gold mine in Papua has indeed brought blessings to the local community and also the country in the economic sector.
Even so, there are not a few negative impacts that are more detrimental to society. They relate to environmental damage, pollution, and so on, so the government needs to do the closure.