The Gigantic Goldmine 14,000 Feet In The Air | Super Structures | Spark

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Just an update, the open pit mine had depleted and closed out in 2021. But the company has constructed and is now operating the largest underground mine complex to extract gold and copper beneath the open pit mine, an operation that could going on for 40 years to the future. If the documentary says that the open pit costed 3 billion, the underground mine costs 1 billion a year to construct. The construction has been going on for the past 6 years and is still going on today.

The topic itself is extremely fascinating as well as this mine in particular, but I just want to point out how much better and "cleaner" these older documentaries are without constant bland rock music and overly excited narrator, plus unnecessary drama. I really enjoy them and would chose them any time

I worked there for 5 years. Awesome place and great people to work with. The pit & underground mines and processing facilities engineering marvels. Papuan and Indonesian people and cultures truly wonderful. A great memory in my life. Would love to go back one day.

I'm a jewelry artist and this documentary appears on my watch list. This was a real treat to watch.

My dad Young-Bok Kim, spent over 25 years(early 1970 to late 1990) at this site as a Mill Supervisor. I visited him many times and we loved it. Too bad, I did not have a chance to work with him at Freeport. My Dad passed away on September 28th of 2019. Behalf of my family we thank everyone who worked with him. He Loved, Indonesia, the People, Work, and Freeport. God Bless Everyone ........

Who needs a television. So many thousands of quality documentaries on you tube.

This probably should have been a 2-hour documentary. What I saw was good, but I would like them to have spent another hour showing more footage of the mechanics of the mining operation.

I have had the pleasure of working here during the time that the HEAT Road was built. I worked from Ridge Camp and was involved with the Maintenance / Warehousing, when the first D11 Caterpillar dozers and the first Cat 785 Dump trucks were brought in. At that time also, the P&H Shovels arrived and section by section, transported up the hill. Not shown here, are the 2 tunnels on the access road and that caused transportation headaches for the transport of the shovel swing gear. At that time, Freeport began privatising their infrastructure and utilities. Timika, the port town was expanded and the lowlands area expansion began, It was a really interesting mine community in which to operate and I am proud to have spent time there.

I worked there in the late 90's . We built an expansion to the processing plant. Politics and business aside, it is an incredible engineering feat. Amazing experience for me working above the clouds.

I think that dozer operator knows a lot about physics. He engineered that road on the fly. He may not have graduated from MIT but I would not discount his knowledge.. The fact that he did it on an old school dozer is all the more impressive. I tip my hat to you sir good job.

Magnificent!!!! The logistical support needed for operations such as this is mind bending.

Back when the Learning Channel used to have quality programming.

Hard dangerous work. Much respect. I was a minor for nearly 18 years. It had its ups and downs. I didn't have to pay rent, food was free, I had a free car for the last 3 years but I had to abide by my parents rules so long as I lived in their house.

This documentary had me glued to my seat. The human drive is very inspiring. Superb!!!!

My parents work here since 2004 and I was raised in Tembagapura. This place is one of a kind. Regardless of the politics that surround this place, especially in recent years, I don't think I would ever relive my childhood anywhere but this place. I just hope the Indonesian government don't mess up it now that they have a majority stake in Freeport Indonesia

I'm not into mining or geology in particular but, man, this was an amazing documentary. To me, this was about man's extraordinary feat of problem-solving, dedication & perseverance against seemingly insurmountable odds.

My dad worked here for 17 years, I was born and raised in Tembagapura. I miss this place, truly is a wonder.

The guy who created heat road is a good example of a guy moving through his work life time from the bottom to the top. You should always promote internally before you look to the outside. He became an expert at mountain road building from all that past work he did. In a way you could say this is the guy that made it out of a death match out of hundreds of other guys. He's the best of them.

Early 2000’s discovery channel.. I miss this.