PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) aims to begin operations at the Kucing Liar underground mine in 2028. This mine, seen as the 'future' of Freeport, is expected to have a production capacity of 90,000 tons of ore per day.
Anton Priatna, Vice President of Underground Engineering at Freeport Indonesia, emphasized that the company is currently continuing its development efforts to increase copper and gold production through the Kucing Liar underground mine.
“We plan to mine Kucing Liar starting in 2028. The target is 90,000 tons per day,” explained Anton when met in Tembagapura, as quoted on Thursday (December 11, 2024).
As is well known, Freeport Indonesia currently relies on copper and gold production from its underground mines. Before Kucing Liar becomes operational in 2028, production is currently sourced from the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC), Big Gossan, and Deep Mill Level Zone (DMLZ) underground mines.
Through these mines, Anton said, Freeport is targeting a production of 220,000 to 230,000 tons of concentrate ore per day.
"By 2029, production will increase with the operation of the Kucing Liar underground mine to 240,000 tons per day," he explained.
He noted that the proven reserves from the underground mines currently amount to around 29 billion pounds of copper and 24 million ounces of gold, which is expected to last until 2041.
Meanwhile, based on the ore resource data from the exploration area, Freeport’s reserves are estimated to contain approximately 48 billion pounds of copper and 58 million ounces of gold.
“To ensure that these figures are accurate in the areas we currently hold, we need to conduct exploration, which will take 5-10 years. That’s why the period beyond 2041 is something we need to focus on because without it, this cannot be proven, even though we can continue operating until 2061,” Anton explained.
