Application of conservation principles and environmental protection values is the first good mining practice. Mining itself is a double-edged sword. On the one hand the mining industry contributes significantly to the advancement of human civilization, and on the other hand, it is an undeniable fact that the mining industry alters our environment. 

As a world-class mining operator, Freeport McMoRan promotes good mining practices, and certainly this applies to one of its biggest affiliates, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI).

PTFI’s real commitment to environmental protection and managements is evident in the certification of its environmental management system. PTFI has opted to apply ISO 14001 standards to its environmental management system, and it has obtained ISO 14001 certification since 2001.

More recently, from February 29 to March 4, 2016, PTFI by way of its Environment Department performed an ISO 14oo1 Surveillance Audit on the entire PTFI operating area, covering both the highland and lowland areas. The surveillance audit is performed every year over a period of three years.  ISO 14001 certification for a business entity entails certificate renewal or recertification once every three years at 2-year intervals of surveillance audits. Such ISO 14002 certificate renewal, or recertification.

PTFI entrusts PT SGS International as its appointed auditor for ISO 14001 certification. In this year’s surveillance audit, 4 auditors from PT SGS International arrived at the PTFI operating area in Mimika to conduct the surveillance audit across the entire PTFI operating area. 

“Improvements are continually made to PTFI’s environmental management system. Since my first visit in 2013, more and more progress is evident, and all recommendations made by the auditors are properly followed up. This demonstrates commendable earnestness on PTFI’s part, and is in line with the spirit of ISO 14001 to strive for continuing improvement,” the lead auditor from PT SGS International, Pantja Nugraha remarked.