President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana on Thursday observed underground copper mining activities at Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) in Mimika, Papua Province, which is managed by PT Freeport Indonesia.
Before observing the mining activities at noon on Thursday, the President and his entourage were informed about the mining activities and equipment by PT Freeport Indonesia’s senior vice president for underground mine operations, Hengki Rumbino.
To access the underground mining area, Widodo and his entourage used an elevator built to accommodate up to 300 people.
“This (elevator) shaft can carry a maximum weight of 38 tons and is able to move 225 meters up in less than one minute,” Rumbino told the President at GBC Mimika.
The President, the First Lady, and their entourage continued their underground travel for 400 meters in a special carriage.
Upon arriving at the unloading station of the underground mining site, they observed the loading and unloading of mining products from an unmanned electric carriage.
Besides observing underground mining activities, Widodo also visited the mining site’s underground Deep Mill Level Zone (DMLZ), where the Al Baabul Munawwar Mosque and Soteria Ecumenical Church are located.
Impressed by their unique location, the President lauded the places of worship as a reflection of religious tolerance and harmony at the mining site.
Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung; Minister of State-owned Enterprises, Erick Thohir; and Minister of Investment and head of the Investment Coordination Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia, formed the President’s entourage during the visit.
The company’s president commissioner Richard Adkerson and president director Tony Wenas also accompanied the President during the visit.
Source: Antara News