Freeport Supports Young Papuan Musicians Going Global

14 June 2025

Jakarta, June 14, 2025 – PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) continues to demonstrate its commitment to opening access and developing young Papuan talent in the music field. One example is bringing the music groups M.A.C (Music Anak Coment) and Papua Original to international-standard music stages.

PTFI provided full support to both music groups in presenting dynamic Papuan ethnic music blended with jazz nuances at the International BNI Java Jazz Festival 2025. They performed on the second day of Asia's largest jazz festival, which took place at JIExpo, Jakarta, Saturday (5/31). PTFI also invited Papuan students from Greater Jakarta area and several Papuan art communities to attend and directly experience, while networking at an international-standard music festival.

PTFI President Director Tony Wenas stated that this participation is not only a form of appreciation for music, but also the company's commitment to empowering and strengthening the Papuan artist community, as well as bringing the rich colors of Eastern Indonesian music to the world stage.

"Music is a universal language that can voice cultural diversity. Through Java Jazz, we want to open wider access for Papuan artists to showcase their works at international-scale events, while introducing the cultural richness and creativity from Papua to a broader audience," said Tony.

Papua Original performed captivating shows with songs featuring Papuan ethnic nuances that blend beautifully with soul, funk, and pop. The song Dapapopero kicked off the performance to thunderous applause from the audience. Status & Apuse followed, continued with Amabusurya and No Woman No Cry. Papua Original successfully invited all Java Jazz audience members to dance Yospan or Yosim Pancar through songs titled Asaibori and Tambatan Cinta. Yospan is a traditional social dance from Papua that is very popular among the community, especially young people. This dance reflects the spirit of togetherness, joy, and Papua's cultural richness.

"We are grateful to be able to perform on a stage as big as Java Jazz. Our musical journey cannot be separated from the support of Freeport Indonesia, which believes that we can better introduce Papua's beauty through melodies rich with Papuan local wisdom. Papua is beautiful, Papua is rich, Papua is Indonesia," said Papua Original vocalists Vien Reyes, Dommy, and Acel.

Morde Sawaki, a member of M.A.C, said that being able to perform on an international music stage while presenting Papuan music is an extraordinary opportunity. M.A.C warmed up the afternoon when the festival began with songs like Sa Trakan Bosan, Sa Coba Mo Lupa, Baku Bawa, and of course the hit Cuma Saya which made the audience rush to the front of the stage, dancing and singing along.

"Papuan musicians can provide a different color in Indonesia's music industry. Java Jazz becomes our initial step into entering the broader music industry, and all of this can be realized with support from sponsors, especially thanks to Freeport Indonesia who believes in the musical potential of Eastern Indonesia's young generation, the land of Papua," said Morde when met after performing.

The Role of Copper
PTFI's presence at this 20-year-old jazz music festival is also to campaign for the importance of copper in daily life, including in music. Copper, which is PTFI's main product, is found in various musical instruments.

"Copper plays a major role in daily life including in the music world. From musical instruments like saxophone, trombone, and trumpet (which contain 50-85% copper), sound system and lighting equipment, to mobile phones used to capture concert moments," said Tony.

Copper, he continued, has been used since 10,000 BC and until now remains a main component in modern devices. "From waking up until going back to sleep, our lives cannot be separated from copper's role. Behind the Java Jazz stage, copper is present in the form of musical instruments, technology devices, to lighting systems. Copper is the heart of innovation," said Tony.

PTFI, as the world's largest integrated upstream-downstream copper mining company, plays an important role in making Indonesia one of the largest copper producers globally. Additionally, PTFI is also committed to growing together with the Papuan community through implementing sustainable mining practices and executing social programs with real impact.

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About PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI)

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) is a mineral mining company affiliated with Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) and Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID). PTFI mines and processes ore to produce copper minerals, which contain gold and silver.

PTFI markets concentrate to all corners of the world, and especially to domestic copper smelters, PT Smelting. PTFI's mining operations are located in the Grasberg mineral area, Papua – Indonesia. PTFI currently operates the world's largest underground mine using the block caving method. In carrying out its operational activities, PTFI prioritizes responsible business practices.

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