Cadangan EMAS Habis Tambang Terbuka GRASBERG FREEPORT, Gunung Emas Terbesar Di Dunia Papua Indonesia

Summary

This video explores the history and significance of the Grasberg mine, the largest gold mine in the world and the third-largest copper mine. Located in Papua, Indonesia, the mine has been operational since 1988 and has produced significant amounts of gold and copper. The video traces its discovery by early explorers, the intense exploration efforts, and its eventual exploitation by the American mining company, PT Freeport Indonesia. With the depletion of open-pit gold reserves by 2019, the focus has shifted to underground mining, promising continued production and economic benefits for Indonesia.

Takeaways

• 😀 Grasberg is the largest gold mine in the world and the third largest copper reserve globally, located in the Central Papua mountains of Mimika, Indonesia.
• 😀 The mine, which has been active since 1988, has a massive open-pit with a diameter of 4 km and a depth of over 1 km, but the gold reserves in the open pit were declared depleted in 2019.
• 😀 Grasberg's gold and copper reserves were once the largest in the world, producing 12 million tons of copper and 4,600 tons of gold by 2019.
• 😀 In 1923, a Dutch explorer named Jan Cartenson reported seeing glaciers in Papua, which led to the discovery of Grasberg's potential mineral wealth.
• 😀 In 1936, geologist Jin Jaes Dozi discovered copper and gold-rich rocks in the region, but the mining potential wasn't realized until much later.
• 😀 The mining operation began after an American engineer, Wilson, confirmed the potential of Grasberg in the 1950s, leading to a 1967 contract with the Indonesian government.
• 😀 Grasberg’s open-pit mining was intensified in the 1980s, with remarkable discoveries of copper and gold-rich rocks, significantly increasing the scale of operations.
• 😀 After 31 years of open-pit mining, the gold, silver, and copper reserves were significantly depleted, prompting a shift to underground mining starting in 2006.
• 😀 Underground mining at Grasberg presents major challenges, including difficult terrain, risks such as landslides and toxic gases, but advanced technology has improved safety and efficiency.
• 😀 As of 2018, the Indonesian government increased its stake in PT Freeport Indonesia to 51%, with plans to further raise the government's share to 61%, promising substantial financial returns for the country.

Q & A

What is the Grasberg mine and where is it located?

The Grasberg mine is the largest gold mine and the third-largest copper mine in the world. It is located in the central mountains of Mimika, Papua, Indonesia, at an altitude of about 4,000 meters above sea level.

What makes the Grasberg mine significant in terms of its resources?

Grasberg has the largest gold reserves in the world and the third-largest copper reserves globally. Since its exploitation began in 1988, it has produced around 12 million tons of copper and 4,600 tons of gold.

Why did the Grasberg mine's open-pit gold reserves become depleted?

The gold reserves in the open-pit section of the Grasberg mine were declared exhausted by 2019 due to extensive mining since 1988, leaving the company to rely on underground mining for continued production.

Who first explored the region where the Grasberg mine is located?

In 1923, a Dutch explorer named Jan Cartenson traveled into the interior of Papua (then known as New Guinea) and discovered the peaks covered with ice, which later became a point of interest for geologists.

What geological anomaly did geologist Jin Jaes Dozi discover in 1936?

Jin Jaes Dozi discovered unusual black rocks in the mountains at an altitude of 3,500 meters and identified them as containing copper ore, which led to the naming of the mountain 'Grasberg,' meaning 'grass mountain.'

How did the Grasberg mine get its initial exploration funding?

After Dozi’s discovery, American engineer Wilson obtained funding from the Progenitor company, which later became known as Freeport, to explore the copper and gold deposits in the Grasberg area.

What role did political instability in Indonesia play in the development of the Grasberg mine?

During a period of political instability in Indonesia, including territorial conflicts and the 1965 tragedy, Freeport was able to secure mining permits from the Indonesian government, allowing them to begin operations.

What significant event took place in 1988 regarding the Grasberg mine?

In 1988, Freeport started large-scale exploitation of the Grasberg mine, marking the beginning of extensive copper and gold production from the site.

What is the significance of the underground mining operation at Grasberg?

The underground mining operation at Grasberg became crucial after the open-pit reserves were exhausted. This more challenging form of mining began in 2006 and is expected to continue as the main source of copper, gold, and silver production.

What was the change in ownership of PT Freeport Indonesia in 2018?

In 2018, the Indonesian government increased its stake in PT Freeport Indonesia to 51%, significantly enhancing the country's ownership and expected profits from the Grasberg mine.