Freeport’s Manyar Smelter to Resume Operations in September 2026, 1.7 Million-Ton Capacity Targeted
Sun 21 Jun 2026, 15:56 PM
Share
PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) is targeting the resumption of copper concentrate processing at the Manyar Smelter in the Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate (JIIPE) Special Economic Zone in Gresik in September 2026. Initial operations of the refining facility will begin at limited capacity before being gradually ramped up over time.
PTFI President Director Tony Wenas said preparations for the restart of the Manyar Smelter are currently progressing on schedule. The ramp-up in utilization will be carried out in stages, depending on the availability of copper concentrate supply.
“Everything is currently on track. In the second quarter of 2026, utilization is expected to increase to around 50 percent. At that level, all concentrate can still be absorbed by PT Smelting,” Tony said after attending the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Mimika Regency Government and PTFI in Jakarta on Wednesday (June 17, 2026).
He added that in the third quarter of 2026, utilization is projected to rise further to around 65 percent. At that stage, part of the concentrate supply will begin to be diverted and processed at the Manyar Smelter.
“Around September 2026, the Manyar Smelter will start production again and begin processing concentrate, although still in limited volumes,” he said.
Prior to the Manyar facility absorbing additional feedstock, available output at roughly 50 percent utilization will continue to be processed at PT Smelting.
The PT Smelting facility in Gresik is one of PTFI’s existing copper concentrate refining assets, with a processing capacity of around 1.3 million tons per year.
Meanwhile, the Manyar Smelter in the JIIPE Special Economic Zone has a larger capacity of approximately 1.7 million tons of copper concentrate annually. The facility was developed as part of Indonesia’s broader push to expand domestic mineral processing and refining capacity.
The smelter previously suffered a setback after a sulfuric acid plant fire incident in October 2024 during its commissioning phase, which prevented it from entering full commercial operation.
Tony said the ramp-up of the Manyar Smelter will continue in phases, targeting utilization of around 65 percent by the end of 2026, increasing to 75 percent by the end of the first half of 2027, and reaching full capacity by the end of the second half of 2027.
Meanwhile, concentrate supply is closely tied to production at the Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) mine. Before operational disruptions caused by a mud rush incident in 2025, GBC was one of PTFI’s key underground production areas.
Following the incident, output from GBC has been gradually restored. Tony said production is now back online, although volumes remain limited.
“Grasberg Block Cave has resumed production, but output is still limited. Full production from Production Block 1 is targeted to begin by the end of 2027,” he said.
Advertisement
