PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) Underground Deep Ore Zone (DOZ) mine production team reached a production record of 100,103 dry metric tonnes (DMT)/day on April 23, 2010. “This is a historic milestone and world record in block cave production from a single footprint mine. We only pass this point once, and we could not be prouder of our DOZ production team, their teamwork, and safe production efforts in reaching this point. Much congratulations on this wonderful achievement,” said PTFI Executive Vice President – Operations John Mosher.
“This achievement makes us look forward even more to our long-term goal of reaching safe production of 240,000 t/d at the Underground mines. We would also like to especially relate our deepest appreciation and thanks to the Ore Flow team for their continued support to ensure we reach our goal. With good teamwork and planning, we are confident we will be able to reach this goal. Here’s to bigger and better achievements going forward,” stated PTFI Vice President – Underground Kelly Osborne.
“We are so proud of our DOZ team on this great achievement, and we are even prouder that this historic point was reached without a single incident that day due to solid teamwork. The team reached over 104,000 wet metric tonnes that day, and in the near-term we are aiming for 120,000 t/d of safe production,” explained PTFI Senior Manager – Underground Operations Joko Basyuni.
“It is extraordinary teamwork to be able to achieve 100,000 t/d, one that requires high effort and commitment from all workgroups and related departments involved in the production process. The DOZ 80K work plan started several years ago, and now we have entered that phase and will continue to improve on safe production. We are part of a solid UG Operations team and we will continue to maintain motivation and co-operation with all involved parties in order to produce ore by performing our tasks in accordance with existing standards. Motivation that results in improved contribution and the sense of being an important part of the future of the company are some of the values we instil in the DOZ production team. PTFI’s future mines such as DMLZ, GRS Block Cave, and Kucing Liar, will require competent manpower, and we are prepared to meet that era with employee development that is both appropriate and integrated. It is our hope that this production achievement will be followed by others of similar nature in line with implementation of good mining practices without sidelining the conservation of the existing ore reserve. We are proud [of] this important contribution to the company and will continue [high levels of] occupational health and safety while maintaining high levels of production,” remarked PTFI Manager – Underground Production Sudjatmoko.
“The DOZ mine started operating in 2000 with estimated mine life to 2019, and started with low tonnage of 200 t/d. Through various expansion programs up until 2010, we were able to reach 80,000 t/d with some 600 employees. The record of reaching 100,000 t/d is truly a source of pride for all of us and makes us more confident in successful teamwork. Going forward there are many challenges in production, and we will continue to prepare and learn from almost ten years of experience so that we can continue safe production. Many thanks to the production team in the field and to Ore Flow, UG Maintenance, UG Development, and other operations groups on this achievement. We firmly believe that through this synergy we can continue to reach other achievements in the future,” added PTFI General Superintendent – Underground Production Benny Johannes.