West Sumbawa, 13 May 2025 – PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMMAN), one of Indonesia's largest copper and gold mining companies, has officially entered a new chapter with the commencement of Phase 8 mining operations at the Batu Hijau mine, following the completion of Phase 7 at the end of 2024. With an estimated 460 million tonnes of mineral reserves, Phase 8 is expected to extend the mine's operational life until 2030.
Overburden removal activities began in 2021 to ensure a seamless transition between phases. During this initial transition period, production in Phase 8 will commence from the outermost and uppermost sections of the Batu Hijau pit, which have lower metal grades. Mining will continue towards the central and deeper parts of the Batu Hijau pit, which contain higher-grade mineral ore. As a result, production output is expected to increase steadily over the coming periods.
Kartika Octaviana, Vice President of Corporate Communications at PT Amman Mineral Internasional Tbk, emphasized that Phase 8 is a testament to the company’s commitment to responsible resource management and long-term operational sustainability.
“In 2020, AMMAN carried out intensive drilling to identify new reserves that could extend Batu Hijau’s mine life. Coupled with improved operational efficiency and favorable commodity prices, we have successfully added five years to the life of the Batu Hijau mine. This extension plays a critical role in supporting both regional and national economic momentum, including job creation for thousands of employees and significant contributions to local and central government revenues,” she said.
The launch of Phase 8 is pivotal for the global energy transition. Copper, the primary commodity mined at Batu Hijau, is vital to enabling low-carbon technologies — from electric vehicles to renewable energy infrastructure. According to global consultancy Wood Mackenzie, copper demand is projected to surge with the accelerating adoption of clean energy systems.
“AMMAN is committed to responsible mining practices and delivering tangible value to communities and the nation. We believe Phase 8 marks the next milestone in our journey — not just for AMMAN, but for Indonesia as well,” Kartika added.
According to the current plan, Phase 8 mining at Batu Hijau will continue through 2030, with stockpiles potentially processed until 2033. Operations will then transition to the Elang deposit — one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold porphyry resources — which is expected to be mined through 2046.
