The mineral processing and refining facility (smelter) or copper concentrate plant owned by PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) in the Special Economic Zone (KEK), JIIPE, Gresik, East Java, is targeted to produce its first copper cathode in August 2024.

Key Points:

• Bahlil mentioned that the plant will start operations in August and will be officially inaugurated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)
• The concentrate from Timika processed at Freeport totals 3 million tons, yielding 600 to 700 thousand tons of copper cathode and 60 tons of gold
  

Courtesy Source: Firda Dwi Muliawati

Courtesy Photo Source: (Dok. PT Freeport)

This information was conveyed by the Minister of Investment or Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia. He mentioned that the world's largest single-line plant has been completed and is currently in the commissioning phase, or test production phase for copper.

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"The Freeport copper smelter we visited in Gresik is not yet officially operational. It is in the commissioning phase, which means it is undergoing final testing to confirm that everything is complete. Currently, the COD is conducting tests," he explained to CNBC Indonesia in the Economic Update program, quoted on Friday (2/8/2024).

In August, Bahlil said, the plant will begin operations and will be inaugurated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). "In August, the Freeport copper smelter will be inaugurated by President Jokowi. The concentrate from Timika processed at Freeport amounts to 3 million tons, producing 600 to 700 thousand tons of copper cathode and 60 tons of gold," he revealed.

Bahlil also disclosed that the plant's construction attracted an investment of up to US$ 3 billion, equivalent to Rp 48.7 trillion. "The world's largest single-line plant, initiated during President Jokowi's era, in 2021," he added.

As known, PT Freeport Indonesia's copper smelter is referred to as the world's largest single-line design copper smelter. The smelter, which will process 1.7 million tons of concentrate per year into approximately 600-700 thousand tons of copper cathode annually, officially began operations with the initial machine start-up ceremony on Thursday, June 27, 2024.

PTFI President Director Tony Wenas mentioned that the smelter's construction was completed on schedule. "This was possible due to the support of all parties, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM). I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all stakeholders," said Tony during the smelter's inauguration in Gresik, East Java, on Thursday (27/6/2024).

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He detailed that the smelter is expected to start producing copper cathode around August, needing 6-10 weeks post-operation for the furnace to reach the required temperature.

"After that, the concentrate will be introduced, processed in the furnace, and formed into anode casing as we saw earlier. The copper anode will then be taken to the Electro Refinery," Tony explained.

At the Electro Refinery, it will take approximately 3 weeks, so Freeport is expected to push for the first production of copper cathode around mid-August.

"We hope to achieve this before or in conjunction with the Indonesian Independence Day celebrations on August 17," Tony said.

According to a PTFI report, the cumulative investment for the Manyar smelter project, which occupies an area of 100 hectares, has reached US$ 3.7 billion or Rp 58 trillion. This smelter is the second built by PTFI, following the smelter operated by PT Smelting, also located in Gresik.

The smelter is designed to produce 600-700 thousand tons of copper cathode annually. It also refines anode slime to produce about 50-60 tons of gold and approximately 220 tons of silver per year.

Courtesy Source:https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20240802085127-4-559778/hitungan-hari-pabrik-terbesar-dunia-ri-siap-produksi-katoda-tembaga