The Wetar Copper Mine is the only mine in Indonesia that produces and directly exports copper cathodes. This mine is operated by PT Batutua Kharisma Permai (BKP), the holder of the mining business permit for copper production operations, and PT Batutua Tembaga Raya (BTR), the holder of the industrial business permit to process mining products into copper cathode. Both companies are located on Wetar Island, Southwest Maluku, and have been part of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk since 2018.
As part of the Merdeka group that is committed to sustainable mining, BKP-BTR applies an efficient leaching method to extract copper content from the ore that is mined. Water consumption for mining operations originates from the Lurang River, with government permits and regularly monitored, is treated with a closed water system that recycles all the water needed for operations. BKP-BTR regularly monitors the quality of the environment: river and seawater near the estuary, as well as flora and fauna; and carries out progressive reclamation once each area is mined.
The presence of BKP-BTR on one of the remote Indonesian islands provides benefits for communities around the mine. BKP-BTR provides electricity and clean water for Lurang Village and Uhak Village. In addition, BKP-BTR also employs more than 65 percent of the community around the mine and prioritizes local suppliers for operational needs. BKP-BTR also supports various social programs, from providing training, skills, and scholarships, to capacity building for local institutions and businesses, including the production and marketing of forest honey and cashews.
To take advantage of the remaining mineral content in the Wetar Copper Mine that naturally cannot be extracted into copper but still has economic value, Merdeka established the AIM (Acid, Iron, Metal) Project. AIM Project will process high-quality waste ore and pyrite ore from Wetar into various products, such as sulfuric acid, saturated steam, iron ore pellets, copper sponge, copper cathode, lead-zinc hydroxide, dore gold, and silver.
Operated by PT Merdeka Tsingshan Indonesia, which was founded by Merdeka and Eternal Tsingshan Group Limited, the AIM Project is strategically located in the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP), Central Sulawesi, with access to existing infrastructure and close proximity to future acid and steam off-takers, catering to downstream players in the EV battery value chain. The existence of the AIM Project will increase production and extend the life of the Wetar Copper Mine.
