Jakarta – At the heart of a remote corner of eastern Indonesia, where copper and gold are mined from deep within the earth, another kind of wealth is being cultivated—education. On November 26, 2025, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) received the prestigious Tamasya Award from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) for its outstanding contributions to education and community empowerment in Mimika, Papua.
The recognition was granted for two categories: Education Planning and Education Implementation, both under the company’s flagship Community Development and Empowerment (PPM) programs. These awards reflect Freeport’s deep-rooted commitment to not only extract resources—but also nurture human potential.
“This award is a reflection of our long-term belief in education as a pathway to dignity and progress for Papuan youth,” said Claus Wamafma, Director & Executive Vice President of Sustainable Development at PTFI.
From Classrooms to Careers: A Transformative Journey
Among PTFI’s most impactful initiatives is the Taruna Papua Boarding School, designed for the indigenous Amungme and Kamoro peoples and five related tribes. The school delivers a curriculum that balances technological literacy and environmental awareness, preparing students not just for academic success, but for leadership in their own communities.
Complementing this effort is the Nemangkawi Mining Institute, a vocational training center offering nine months of free technical education to local youth. Since 2003, more than 4,000 students have graduated from the program, with 90% going on to secure employment with PTFI, its contractors, or other mining companies across Indonesia.
“Some of our graduates have risen to the position of supervisor—an incredible testament to what can happen when opportunity meets preparation,” Claus shared.
Sustained Investment in Future Generations
In 2024 alone, PTFI allocated IDR 400 billion (approximately USD 25 million) toward educational programs in Papua, managed through the Amungme and Kamoro Community Empowerment Foundation (YPMAK). The funding supports not only infrastructure but also scholarships from primary school to doctoral levels, creating a continuum of opportunity rarely found in remote regions.
This latest Tamasya Award marks the fourth national recognition Freeport has received in 2024. In October, the company also secured two Subroto Awards for innovations in mining safety and environmental stewardship.
Mining That Enriches More Than the Land
For Claus and the Freeport Indonesia team, the awards are not simply plaques on a wall—they represent lives changed, barriers broken, and a new generation of young Papuans stepping into their future with confidence.
“To witness our students not only finish school, but thrive in their careers and return as mentors—it’s beyond business. It’s legacy,” Claus said.
In a world where extractive industries often face scrutiny, Freeport Indonesia’s model offers a rare and powerful counter-narrative: one where the true minerals of value are not just found underground, but in the talent, resilience, and dreams of a community that has been given the chance to grow.
