World’s largest mine, producing tons of gold, silver, and copper, has its own airport and hospital, is owned by THIS Muslim country

This mine will remain a major gold producer for many years to come.

New Delhi: Gold mining has been a major industry for centuries. Some parts of the world have substantial gold reserves, which significantly contribute to the region’s prosperity. One such gold mine is located in Indonesia’s Papua region, which is crucial to the economy of this country with the largest Muslim population. This mine, called Grasberg, is the world’s largest and richest gold mine. It produces approximately 48 tons of gold annually. Its unique feature is that, in addition to gold, it is also one of the world’s largest copper mines.

Ore contains high concentrations of both gold and copper

The ore extracted from the Grasberg mine contains high concentrations of both gold and copper. The Grasberg mine is located near Puncak Jaya, Papua’s highest mountain. This entire region was formed by the movement of tectonic plates and is rich in mineral deposits. This mine produces a large amount of gold, and a large portion of its upper reaches has now been closed.

The mine has its own airport

This Indonesian mine operates on a large scale. Currently, approximately 20,000 people work there. The mine has its own airport and port, along with residential complexes, schools, and hospitals for employees. The mine’s most notable feature was its mile-wide open pit. However, surface reserves have now been largely exhausted, and production is concentrated underground.

In 2023, Grasberg produced 52.9 tons of gold (1.7 million ounces), 680,000 tons of copper, and 190 tons of silver. This makes it the world’s largest mine. The mine still holds gold reserves worth an estimated $40 billion. This means the mine will remain a major gold producer for many years to come.

Mine was discovered in 1936

The history of this mine dates to 1936, the year Dutch geologist Jean-Jacques Dozy discovered minerals here. However, large-scale mining began in the 1960s. In that decade, Freeport McMoRan acquired mining rights. Since then, Grasberg has been expanding steadily. For years, the mine has been one of Indonesia’s most valuable assets. The Indonesian government recently granted Freeport McMoRan permission to mine until 2041.