10 August 2023
Recently PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) earned a place in the Guinness World Records (GWR) for the largest flag unfurled on a mountain, a Red-White flag measuring 3,431.25 square meters (m²) at an elevation of 4,285 meters above sea level (masl).
This was a proud moment for Indonesia, symbolizing the spirit of independence. The behind-the-scenes struggle to unfurl this giant flag offers a story that is no less interesting.
The following are the facts on PTFI’s flag-flying endeavor that succeeded in earning it a world record:
The story begins with the PTFI 78th Independence Day Commemoration committee initiative for Freeport Indonesia to offer a gift on the occasion of Indonesia’s 78th Independence Day anniversary. The committee proposed to break a world record by unfurling the biggest Red-White flag atop a mountain. This idea was enthusiastically welcomed by Freeport management, and execution was speedily begun so as to be completed during celebrations on Independence Day.
To earn a world record, PTFI had to qualify and fulfill high-level standards, beginning with making the flag and its unfurling. To this end, PTFI engaged several supporters, including a team of independent surveyors technically certified to use calibrated measuring instruments. Two types of measuring instruments were required for the deed, the Total Station to measure the flag, and a handheld GPS to measure the elevation of the unfurling location. Another GWR requirement was for the entire process to be witnessed by two independent observers. The results of measurement and unfurling, evidence recorded on paper, documentation, the administrative process, and all related certifications were to be fully compiled completed, and delivered to the GWR evaluation team at the latest by 14 August 2023.
In the making of the giant Red-White flag, PTFI involved an MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise), CauClothing. The stitching of the flag made of Taslan fabric and weighing nearly one ton was carried out by 10 stitchers over a period of 10 days, using 17 rolls of red fabric and 17 rolls of white fabric.
Measuring the giant flag, scheduled for 9 August 2023 encountered particular challenges. As it turned out, the huge size of the flag made it impossible to measure manually. Measuring met with failure on the first day as it was too late at night and the weather was unfavorable, and the surveyor team had to repeat the measuring process on the following day. This of course upset the entire schedule and a number of rearrangements had to be made to adjust the delivery and installation estimates. Eventually, the final result was a giant Red-White flag measuring 3,431.25 m².
The packing volume posed limitations in the delivery of the flag using a cargo aircraft. The flag with a massive size and weight had to be packed in a wooden box measuring 1.93 x 1.65 x 1.24 m3. As such, the flag had to be shaped into a single, long roll to enable it to be packed.
Around 50 people were recruited to assist in lifting and placing the flag in the box. Each time a fold was placed in the box, the surface was patted smoothly to let out air trapped in the box and folds of fabric so the entire flag could fit in. The box was then sent to Halim Perdanakusuma Airport to be loaded aboard the flight to Tembagapura. Upon arriving there, a PTFI team was in place to fetch the cargo and bring it directly to the Grasberg open pit mine site.
The Grasberg site was a silent witness to the world record-breaking feat by PTFI to unfurl the biggest ever flag atop a mountain. The site of the Grasberg open pit mine that was operated by PTFI from 1991 to 2020 is now undergoing reclamation following the mine’s closure. When it was still operated, the Grasberg open pit produced close to 2.5 billion tons of concentrate, bringing benefits not only for Papua and Indonesia, but also shaping PTFI into a world-class mining company. PTFI now operates an underground mine that is still located in the Grasberg area.
Located at an elevation of 4,285 masl, Grasberg is one of the areas in the world with the highest rainfall, of 200 inches per year. This geographical characteristic makes Grasberg a chilly place covered in mist and dominated by rain all year round. This undeniably posed a challenge in itself in undertaking the project. “We had priorly identified by means of analysis the challenges to be encountered, and the biggest challenge was the elevation of the site,” PTFI Underground Mine Engineering Manager Birat Setyoko said.
Due to the challenging location, safety was the primary issue in preparing for and executing the flag unfurling atop Grasberg. PTFI ensured all PTFI employees and third-party personnel taking part in the project were in super fit condition, having undergone health checkups prior to ascending Grasberg. The checkups were necessary bearing in mind the thin oxygen supply at Grasberg Peak. Additionally, a medical team and equipment were put on standby throughout the entire process from preparations to the actual unfurling of the flag.
PTFI VP of Mining Safety Division Eman Widijanto said this was to ensure all aspects of execution were conducted smoothly and safely. “We carry out our project in the highlands. In addition to the importance of acclimatizing workers, in particular new recruits, conducting risk analysis prior to commencing work is an essential step,” Eman said.
The struggle to deliver the flag was followed by the unfurling of the flag itself. Preparations for this proceeded with the installation of a sling, which had been made at the same time as the stitching of the flag. The sling’s construction had to be able to deal with uneven slope contours. There were 10 sling trails grouped into 3 sequences beginning at the base of the slope until the peak of Grasberg.
Preparation for this construction was assisted by the committee head and other engineers monitoring the process and offering instruction. Racing against time and weather conditions, the process of unfurling the flag began on 14 August 2023 at 10 a.m. local time. Before the flag was fully and properly unfurled, some of the stitches in the Red-White flag became undone. This caused the process to be halted several times to fix the stitching in several places. To minimize the risk of more stitches coming undone, the PTFI crew made the decision to haul the sling manually without the use of heavy equipment. This solid cooperation and extra effort was successful in delivering the flag steadily and levelly to each installation point.
Heavy rain and thick mist were other obstacles causing the flag unfurling to be delayed by around an hour. The temperature dropped drastically from a usual 8-9 degrees to almost 1 degree Celsius. However, this failed to discourage the determined committee. They continued to strive to perform the flag unfurling to full completion.
Nearing 1 pm local time, the weather improved. The committee and the crew immediately set about performing the delayed flag unfurling action. At exactly 2.25 pm local time, the Red-White flag was flying atop Grasberg. The entire team on the ground closed ranks and stood at attention to salute the Sacred Red-White Flag, Pride and emotion were etched on the faces of all present on site. The unfurling of the Red-White flag at the highest point in Indonesia was a real embodiment of the PTFI spirit of unity and nationalism as a part of a sovereign Republic of Indonesia.
Around 350 people participated in the project, comprising PTFI employees with third-party assistance. The PTFI employees involved came from various divisions, such as operations maintenance, mining safety, and others. This collaboration was in manifestation of the spirit of “WE ARE ONE” which is the theme of this year’s PTFI celebration of Indonesia’s 78th Independence Day.
PTFI Chief Mine Engineer Carl Tauran underscored the hard work performed by all playing a significant role in the success of the project. “I would like to offer my greatest thanks to the committee and all involved in preparing this event. The success of this event is the result of outstanding collaboration among all individuals working together as a solid team towards a common achievement. All this effort aligns with our theme of ‘WE ARE ONE.’ My hope is for PTFI to ‘Forge Ahead for the Advancement of Indonesia’.”
http://kabarpapua.co/10-fakta-freeport-bentangkan-bendera-merah-putih-terbesar-pecahkan-rekor-dunia
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