PT Freeport Indonesia launches Gresik smelter and increases social investment

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) is expanding its industrial footprint and social commitments in Indonesia. The company’s copper cathode smelter, located in the Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate (JIIPE) Special Economic Zone in Gresik, East Java, is scheduled to begin production in September. This facility is a key component of Indonesia’s mineral downstreaming policy, aiming to transform the nation into a significant global player in copper concentrate processing.

In addition to industrial expansion, PTFI plans to increase its social and environmental investments to approximately Rp 3 trillion (US$ 150 million) per year. This funding is intended to support communities near its operational areas in Papua through 2041. The investment will prioritize health and education, which account for over 40% of the budget, alongside economic empowerment through MSME development and agricultural projects. Long-term plans also include exploring the construction of public infrastructure, such as hospitals and universities, in Central Papua.