TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has officially inaugurated the 5G underground smart mining that has been implemented in Freeport Indonesia’s underground mining facility. This technology enables remote mining that increases the safety of its workers and productivity.

"Today we are proving that we have moved ahead by implementing the first 5G smart mining in Southeast Asia," said Jokowi at the Freeport Indonesia mine site in Tembagapura, Mimika Regency, Papua, Thursday, September 1.

He asserted that this technology is the result of a collaboration between Freeport and state-owned communications firm PT Telkomsel. "We must not be left behind and must be able to compete in all sectors that are increasingly digitized," said the President.

The head of state said he was happy to hear that this underground mine, which had very challenging terrain, could be controlled remotely. He also highlighted the fact that 99 percent of the employees who control this technology are native to Indonesia, especially from Papua.

Jokowi also believes that this technology will make Freeport Indonesia even more considered at the global level. Including, producing more and more qualified human resources in the mining sector in the world and contributing greatly to the progress of the Indonesian mining industry

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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