17 January 2023
Being able to lead the largest and leading gold and copper mining company in the world, PT Freeport Indonesia, is a pride for Tony Wenas. However, the happiest of all achievements was when Indonesian President Joko Widodo and the First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo visited Freeport's operational area in Tembagapura, Papua. A happy milestone is the visit of Mr. President to Tembagapura. Pak Jokowi is the second president after Pak Soeharto who visited Tembagapura. Pak Soeharto visited in 1973 or 50 years ago," PT Freeport Indonesia (FI) President Director Tony Wenas told Investor Daily last weekend.
Tony said that President Jokowi did not only visit, but also stayed overnight. At the site, President Jokowi visited the top of Grasberg and also entered an underground mine. The group also took a special bulletproof bus. I continue to accompany Him, said Tony. Tony could not hide his admiration for President Joko Widodo, who is so detailed and cares deeply about everything. He asks detail and sharp questions, and always touches on issues. For instance, how much is the salary of Freeport employees, he said.
In front of Freeport employees, President Jokowi requested that all employees under the leadership of Tony Wenas be able to take good care of the company, because of their enormous role and contribution, not only for employees, also for Timika Regency, Central Papua Province, and also for the country. On Thursday, 1 September 2022, at 07.00 WIT, President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Jokowi Widodo visited Grasberg, one of the largest mines in the world owned by PTFI in the Tembagapura District, Mimika Regency. Many Papuans go to Tembagapura to see President Jokowi directly. For 49 years, they waited for the President to come to Tembagapura. In 1973, President Soeharto also ever visited the location whose altitude is 3,325-4,285 meters above sea level.
Three months later, on December 6 2022, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati visited Freeport. The minister who is active in social media wrote on her Instagram as quoted by President Director @freeportindonesia Pak @tonywenas that all underground mining operations through the Special Mining Permit (IUPK) have contributed $2 billion to state revenues and $473 million to Papua regional revenues in 2021. This year, contributions are projected to increase to $3.85 billion in state revenue and $676 million in Papua regional revenue, and will continue to increase.
With all available resources, potential government revenue is $80 billion by 2041 (assuming $4 copper price and $1800 gold price). This makes @freeportindonesia one of the assets as well as a big contributor to state revenue that we must protect. I am happy and proud to see various commitments being made. Implementing good governance, maintaining environmental and safety standards, optimizing Indonesian human resources, especially the best sons and daughters of Papua, increasing economic and social benefits, both for improving the welfare of the Papuan people and for the abilities of future generations. I hope all of this can be maintained and improved. (Mimika, December 6, 2022).
Not a New Figure
Tracking his record, Tony was not new to Freeport. Before becoming the number one person at Freeport, from 2001 to 2010 he joined Freeport as a director. Then Tony left and re-entered in 2017 as Executive Director and was given the mandate to lead the negotiating team between Freeport and the Government of Indonesia. In 2018, he succeeded in completing negotiations between the government and Freeport Mc Moran, including resolving the divestment issue, the Special Mining Permit (IUPK), and the extension of Freeport's operating period until 2041.
This is also a proud achievement for me. Today is my fifth year leading Freeport. So, at the end of this year, the five-year term will end, said Tony. Tony admits that he doesn't mind whether his current position is extended until the smelter project currently being worked on in Gresik is finished, or if it really has to be completed according to the set deadline. Yes, hopefully (extended) until it is inaugurated. But, if it's me, it's okay. So, just enjoy our life. If given a mandate, I will carry out the mandate. For me, I only need to wait. I've been the president of four companies. I'm also not young anymore, he explained.
Born on April 8, 1962, Tony is now 61 years old. Since December 2018 until now, he has served as president director of PTFI. He has been in the mining world for quite a long time. In addition to PTFI, he has served as president & CEO of PT Vale Indonesia (2010-2011), Country Head of Intrepid Mines Ltd Indonesia (2012-2014), and President of PT Berkat Resources Indonesia (2014-present). Outside of mining, in 2015-2017, Tony served as president director of PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) as well as Managing Director of Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL Group).
Tony is not only a music fan, but a musician. Good at playing piano and organ, also singing. Since middle school, he has formed a band. Apart from playing music, he completed his undergraduate degree in Business Law at the University of Indonesia in 1985 and completed an executive program at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, 2010.
He is active in various organizations, including the Indonesian Mining Association (IMA), the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Indonesian Business Council for Sustainable Development (IBCSD), Association of Indonesian Mining Experts (PERHAPI), Association Issuer Indonesia (AED (2010-2012), and the Indonesian Association of Singers, Songwriters and Musicians of the Republic of Indonesia (PAPPRI). When asked, when he had to leave Freeport, what did he most want later when leaving Freeport, Tony only said, that he hoped all commitments between the government and companies can run well.
Kami menghimbau para pencari kerja untuk berhati-hati dan mewaspadai beragam modus penipuan perekrutan yang mengatasnamakan PT Freeport Indonesia. Dalam setiap proses rekrutmen dan penerimaan karyawan, PT Freeport Indonesia maupun konsultan rekruitmennya tidak memungut biaya apapun.
Untuk melihat lowongan, silakan akses melalui link berikut: ptfi e-recruitment
Untuk melihat informasi magang, silakan akses melalui link berikut: Internship Program
