President Director of PTFI Inspects Fire-affected Area at Gresik Smelter
21 October 2024
Gresik, October 20, 2024 – PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) President Director Tony Wenas conducted an inspection of the Common Gas Cleaning Plant, located within the PTFI Smelter at the Gresik Special Economic Zone on Friday, October 18.
“I saw firsthand the current situation at the incident site. Our main focus now is ensuring a smooth assessment process and conducting a thorough evaluation to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” Tony said after the inspection, accompanied by the Technical Mine Manager Carl Tauran and Executive Vice President of Corporate Planning & Business Strategy Horst Garz.
“There were no reports of any injuries among employees. This is something we are very proud of, as safety measures were successfully implemented, preventing any loss of life. It shows that we are applying safe working standards in this smelter,” Tony said.
Secondly, Tony noted that PTFI had already completed all the commissioning stages earlier in 2024, conducting multiple tests and undergoing trial and error phases since June to ensure the smelter could operate safely and optimally.
"This means we carried out every step with extreme care and calculation. From this incident, Freeport Indonesia will conduct a comprehensive evaluation to ensure it does not happen again,” he added.
Third, Tony commended the success of the firefighting efforts, attributing it to the hard work of PTFI's Emergency Response Team, which acted swiftly and effectively. “The entire team was well-coordinated as one unit, One Freeport, involving teams from Gresik, Papua, and Jakarta to control the fire quickly,” he stated.
Tony also extended his gratitude for the cooperation and support from all parties, which contributed to a successful and integrated firefighting effort. A total of 45 personnel participated in the firefighting efforts, including PTFI's Emergency Response Team, supported by firefighting teams from the Gresik Regency, Surabaya City, East Java Provincial Government, Petrokimia Gresik, JIIPE, Maspion Industrial Area, and various security authorities.
Fourth, to ensure the well-being of employees following the fire, PTFI has provided special counseling by psychologists for those who were present at the site of the fire. “Through intensive assessment and support, we aim to make sure they feel comfortable, relaxed, and can return to work in good spirits,” Tony said.
“I hope we can complete this evaluation quickly and accurately so that we can resume operations at the PTFI Smelter. This is crucial not only for PTFI but also for the country,” he added.
“The Door to Safety”
In addition to the inspection, Tony Wenas inaugurated the Babussalam Mosque, located within the PTFI Smelter area. The mosque, which has a capacity of 1.000 people, was built by Freeport Indonesia for the employees and contractors.
“The inauguration of Babussalam Mosque, meaning ‘the door to safety’, symbolizes PTFI’s commitment to safety and reflects the company’s SINCERE values,” Tony said.
Concluding his speech at the mosque’s inauguration, Tony expressed his hope that Babussalam Mosque would not only serve as a place of worship for the employees, but also a place to foster unity and a positive spirit in the workplace. He also hoped it would enhance personal growth for every individual, enabling all employees to continue contributing to the success of Freeport Indonesia as well as the nation.
“Congratulations on the inauguration of Babussalam Mosque, may it bring blessings to all of us,” he said.
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