PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) is targeting an increase in copper and gold production through 2029. The planned production growth will be supported by operational recovery and optimization of mining capacity at the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) underground mine.PTFI President Director Tony Wenas explained that the company is currently implementing strategies to restore production capacity to normal levels after facing disruptions last year.He stated that the increase in ore mining volume will be carried out gradually in line with the progress of infrastructure recovery at the mining site.“In 2025, we only mined 139,000 tons of ore per day, and in 2026 it is 156,000 tons per day. By 2027, we expect to reach around 200,000 tons of ore per day, which is close to our normal production level, and this will continue through 2029 and beyond,” he said during a hearing with Commission XII of the DPR RI in Jakarta, as quoted on Thursday (April 16, 2026).Based on the company’s projections, copper cathode production in 2026 is estimated at 1.1 billion pounds, increasing to 1.5 billion pounds in 2027. It is then expected to rise further to 1.7 billion pounds in both 2028 and 2029.For gold, the company projects production of 0.8 million ounces in 2026, increasing to 1.3 million ounces in 2027, and further rising to 1.4 million ounces per year in 2028 and 2029.“By 2028, production will reach higher levels of 1.7 billion pounds of copper and 43 tons of gold, and will remain around those levels in 2028 and 2029,” Tony added.The company is currently focusing on recovery efforts at Production Block 1 in the GBC area, which contains high-grade ore. The company targets this production block to resume full operations in the first quarter of 2027 to support long-term production targets.“The plan is to begin ramp-up from May until the first quarter of 2027, when we will start fully operating Production Block 1, which is indeed high grade,” he said.In addition to restoring production blocks, the company is building additional safety infrastructure in the form of a new 3-kilometer drainage tunnel. This facility is specifically designed to channel wet slurry material so it does not disrupt the main ore mining process and to ensure future operational safety.“We are currently ensuring that all infrastructure, all improvement plans, and mining management are carried out very carefully,” he concluded.
Source https://djakarta-miningclub.com