2) KNPB: Landslides in the PT Freeport area are evidence of worker exploitation and environmental destruction
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1) Freeport Indonesia Comments on Government's Plan to Increase Share
Reporter Anastasya Lavenia Yudi September 22, 2025 | 06:51 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) has responded to the Indonesian government's plan to increase its ownership stake in the mining company by more than 10%. The government already holds a majority stake of 51.23% through the state-owned holding company, MIND ID.
Katri Krisnati, Vice President of Corporate Communications at PT Freeport Indonesia, confirmed that discussions regarding the potential increase in government ownership are ongoing. "Regarding the divestment of PTFI shares, it is still under discussion," Katri told Tempo on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Similarly, Minister of Investment and Industrial Estate Development, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, stated that the process of acquiring more shares is awaiting instructions from President Prabowo Subianto.
Rosan, who is CEO of the Danantara Investment Managing Body for Nusantara Energy, mentioned that the government's target is to increase its ownership by an additional 12%, with the aim of completing the process soon. Notably, he also said that the government would not spend any funds on the acquisition. "Free of charge. Solid, right?" he said at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
On a separate note, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, added that he would soon meet with Freeport-McMoRan, PTFI's parent company, to discuss the share divestment. "I will soon meet with the management of Freeport McMoran," said Bahlil at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, as quoted by Antara.
Bahlil had previously reported to President Prabowo about the potential to acquire more than the initial target of 10% additional shares. He explained that these negotiations are part of the government’s efforts to extend the mining operation contract.
According to Bahlil, the valuation of the additional shares would be relatively inexpensive because the book value of Freeport's assets is considered to be "very thin." The chair of the Golkar Party noted, "For more than 10%, the cost is very inexpensive. Because the valuation of the assets is considered to be very thin. But this will last until 2041."
Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the report
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2) KNPB: Landslides in the PT Freeport area are evidence of worker exploitation and environmental destruction
Aida Ulim. Last updated: September 22, 2025, 9:16 pm
Author: Aida Ulim Editor: Arjuna Pademme
Published September 22, 2025
Jayapura, Jubi – The West Papua National Committee (KNPB) stated that the landslide of wet material in the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) underground mine owned by PT Freeport Indonesia in Tembagapura, Mimika Regency, Central Papua, on September 8, 2025, was evidence of labor exploitation, environmental destruction, and economic colonialism in Papua.
The KNPB also expressed its deep concern over the incident, which trapped seven workers. Two of them were found dead on September 20, 2025, and five others are still missing.
"This incident is not simply a work accident, but rather a reflection of a systematic pattern of colonial exploitation, the plundering of natural resources, environmental destruction, and the disregard for human safety as a tradable commodity," said Agus Kossay, Chairman of the Central KNPB, in a press statement at Perumnas 3 Waena, Heram District, Jayapura City, Papua, on Monday (September 22, 2025).
He said that since PT Freeport began operations, the company has prioritized profit over worker safety and environmental sustainability. The environment has been polluted by mining waste, indigenous forests have been destroyed, and local communities have continued to lose their rights to land and living space.
"This pattern shows that Freeport is not just another mining company, but part of a colonial machine exploiting Papua as a source of natural resources and cheap labor for global profit," he said.
He added that another fact can be seen in recent years. 8,300 PT Freeport workers were laid off. This is considered clear evidence of the company's indifference to humanity.
Workers who fought for decades for the mine's sustainability were dismissed without proper protection, while mining operations continued, damaging the environment and indigenous communities.
"This shows that Freeport is putting profits above human safety, labor rights, and the Papuan ecology," he said.
Kossay stated that, from an international legal perspective, Freeport has violated the basic principles of labor protection stipulated in the International Labor Organization (ILO) Conventions, namely the right to a safe working environment, fair wages, and protection against the risk of injury or death.
He said this neglect is not only a violation of workers, but also a form of structural colonial oppression against the Papuan people.
Meanwhile, KNPB Spokesperson Ogram Wanimbo stated that Freeport's mining operations constitute an ecological crime and environmental colonialism.
He stated that the dumping of tailings waste into rivers, massive deforestation, and air pollution pose a real threat to the lives of indigenous peoples, flora, and fauna in Papua.
"This destruction has created a long-term ecological crisis whose impacts will be felt by future generations, while the company's profits continue to flow to the global market," Wanimbo said.
The KNPB also called for international solidarity, demanding the immediate evacuation of the five buried and unaccounted-for Freeport employees, with guarantees of safety and full medical care.
An end to mining practices that destroy the environment, violate customary rights, and disregard the safety of workers. Recognition of the Papuan people's right to self-determination, including the right to land, resources, and the preservation of life.
Pressure on multinational companies to comply with international labor laws, environmental rights, and the principles of social justice.
Calling for broad, unrestricted solidarity and resistance against Freeport.
The KNPB emphasizes that Freeport is not only a perpetrator of economic and ecological exploitation, but also a symbol of modern colonialism that oppresses the people and nature of Papua.
Solidarity between workers and environmental activists worldwide is a moral obligation to oppose this injustice. The world must recognize that Papua's people are being plundered, oppressed, and its natural environment destroyed for the profit of global capitalism. (*)
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