President Jokowi, First Lady Visit Underground Copper Mining in Mimika

President Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi, visits underground copper mining at Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) in Mimika regency on Thursday (09/01) (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and First Lady Iriana Jokowi Thursday (09/01) observed underground copper mining activities at gold and copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia’s Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) in Mimika regency.

Before observing the mining activities at noon on that day, the President, the First Lady, and their entourage were informed about the mining activities by PT Freeport Indonesia’s Senior Vice President for Underground Mine Operations Hengky Rumbink.

According to him, to reach the underground mining site, everyone has to use an elevator (shaft) built to accommodate up to 300 people.

“This shaft can carry a maximum weight of 38 tons and is able to move 225 meters up in less than one minute,” Hengky said.

Furthermore, the President, the First Lady, and their entourage continued their underground travel for 400 meters in a special carriage to observe the loading and unloading of mining products from an unmanned electric carriage.

After observing the underground copper mining, President Jokowi, First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi, and their entourage headed to Tera Shop in Mimika regency to attend the launch of 5G Mining Technology. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (AP/MUR)