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Grasberg

Grasberg is a large-scale copper and gold mining complex located in the highlands of Central Papua province, Indonesia. The mine is operated by Freeport Indonesia, a subsidiary of the US-based Freeport-McMoRan mining group. Grasberg comprises both open-pit and underground operations, with the open-pit mine historically ranking among the world's largest by ore extraction volume. The complex produces copper concentrate and gold as a by-product, making it one of the most significant sources of both metals globally. The mine sits at an elevation of approximately 4 000 metres in the remote Sudirman Range, presenting substantial logistical and operational challenges. Grasberg's output has been a major contributor to Indonesia's mineral export revenues and to Freeport-McMoRan's global production profile. The operation has faced periodic disruptions related to labour disputes, environmental concerns and security issues linked to the long-running separatist conflict in Papua. Infrastructure supporting the mine includes a dedicated port facility, processing plants and an extensive road and conveyor network. Grasberg was discovered in the 1960s and commercial production began in the 1970s, with subsequent expansions transitioning the operation from open-pit to predominantly underground block-cave mining as surface reserves have been depleted.

Grasberg News


The Grasberg mine
Freeport says Grasberg recovery not delayed until 2028, stands by 2027 forecast
12th May 2026 By: Reuters

Freeport-McMoRan said on Monday that it still expects Indonesia's Grasberg copper and gold mine to resume full production by the end of 2027, reiterating a plan outlined last month and pushing back... 


Grasberg mine
Freeport Indonesia pushes back Grasberg Copper restart by a year
8th May 2026 By: Bloomberg

PT Freeport Indonesia pushed back the full restart of its giant Grasberg copper mine by a year, worsening supply constraints that are already impacting the global market for the metal. The complex... 


The Grasberg mine
Freeport delays recovery of flagship Indonesian mine; shares down more than 8%
23rd April 2026 By: Reuters

Freeport-McMoRan, the world's largest publicly traded copper producer, said on Thursday it expects a slower-than-anticipated recovery at its flagship Grasberg mine in Indonesia after a fatal flood... 


The Kamoa-Kakula smelter
Global refined copper market to swing to surplus in 2026, group says
23rd April 2026 By: Reuters

The global refined copper market is expected to shift to a surplus of 96 000 metric tons in 2026, reversing a previously forecast deficit of 150 000 tons, due to slower demand growth and increased... 


Rising copper prices help Freeport-McMoRan offset Grasberg production dip
Rising copper prices help Freeport-McMoRan offset Grasberg production dip
23rd January 2026 By: Reuters

Copper miner Freeport-McMoRan reported a better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, as higher copper and gold prices offset a production drop after an accident at Indonesia's Grasberg... 


Indonesian forces rescue 18 Freeport workers from rebel siege in Papua
15th January 2026 By: Reuters

Indonesian military rescued 18 workers at gold and copper miner Freeport Indonesia that had been surrounded by armed rebels for three days at a company outpost in the insurgency-plagued Papua... 


Copper
BMI maintains copper price forecast amid tightening supply, increased demand
5th January 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

BMI – a Fitch Solutions company – has maintained its 2026 average yearly copper price forecast at $11 000/t, as tightening supply and positive sentiment towards demand from sectors linked to the... 


How tight supply, AI demand propelled copper towards $12 000
How tight supply, AI demand propelled copper towards $12 000
15th December 2025 By: Reuters

Copper is closing in on the $12 000 a metric ton mark as expectations of soaring demand from data centres that power artificial intelligence and tight supplies collide with shortages outside the... 


Copper producer Freeport would pursue M&A only if 'stars and moon' align, CEO says
Copper producer Freeport would pursue M&A only if 'stars and moon' align, CEO says
5th December 2025 By: Reuters

Copper producer Freeport-McMoRan would pursue an acquisition if "the stars and the moon" aligned, but is not counting on deals to grow and is focused on developing existing assets, its CEO said on... 


The Grasberg mine
UBS raises copper outlook as mine disruptions deepen supply deficits
24th November 2025 By: Reuters

UBS expects copper prices to rise into next year, citing tightening supply from persistent mine disruptions and strong long-term demand from electrification and clean-energy investment, the bank... 


Freeport Indonesia targets 478 000 t of copper cathode output in 2026
24th November 2025 By: Reuters

Freeport Indonesia plans to produce 478 000 metric tons of copper cathode and 26 tons of gold in 2026, lower than its initial plan due to an ongoing recovery process following a mud flow accident,... 


After deadly accident, Freeport aims to restart Grasberg copper production by July
After deadly accident, Freeport aims to restart Grasberg copper production by July
19th November 2025 By: Reuters

Freeport-McMoRan said on Tuesday it plans to restore production at Indonesia's Grasberg copper and gold mine by July after a fatal incident forced operations to halt two months ago. Seven workers... 


Freeport Indonesia says investigation concluded on Grasberg incident
7th November 2025 By: Reuters

Freeport Indonesia said on Friday that an investigation into a mud flow that killed seven workers at its Grasberg copper and gold mine has ended and the company has received improvement... 


Copper smelting
China's CMOC to invest $1.1bn to expand its KFM copper mine in DRC
24th October 2025 By: Reuters

China's CMOC Group will spend $1.08-billion to expand its KFM copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo to add about 100 000 metric tons of output per year, it said on Friday. It will launch... 


The Grasberg mine
Freeport-McMoRan profit beats as higher copper prices offset Grasberg troubles
24th October 2025 By: Reuters

Freeport-McMoRan posted a better-than-expected third-quarter profit on Thursday, as higher copper prices offset lower production after the company suspended operations at its flagship Grasberg mine... 


Codelco chairperson Maximo Pacheco
Codelco lifts El Teniente loss estimate, copper output target intact
13th October 2025 By: Reuters

Codelco's copper losses from the accident at its El Teniente mine are likely to be 45% higher than previously estimated, but Chairman Maximo Pacheco still expects the world's largest copper miner... 


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pqt: 0.068s - ct: 0.122s - 243pq - 2rq
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