Freeport updates Indonesian smelter projects plan

Petromindo.com
In connection with PT-FI’s 2018 agreement with the Indonesia government associated with the extension of its long-term mining rights, PT-FI committed to construct new domestic smelting capacity totaling 2 million metric tons of concentrate per year by December 2023.

In recent months, PT-FI has explored alternatives to the greenfield smelter and has advanced discussions with the other shareholders of the existing Indonesia smelter (PT Smelting) regarding an expansion to increase smelter concentrate treatment capacity by approximately 30 percent (300,000 metric tons of concentrate per year).

Commercial and financial arrangements for this project are being advanced and engineering is in progress. The current estimate for the cost of the expansion, which would be funded by PT-FI, approximates $250 million.

PT-FI has also engaged in discussions with a third party to develop new smelter capacity at an alternate location in Indonesia to fulfill its smelter commitment. To date, commercial discussions have not resulted in a mutually acceptable agreement.