Earth observation taken by the Expedition 11 crew

ISS011-E-09620 (26 June 2005) --- Grasberg Mine, Indonesia is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 11 crewmember on the International Space Station. Located in the Sudirman Mountains of the Irian Jaya province of Indonesia, the Grasberg complex (also known as the Freeport Mine) is one of the largest gold and copper mining operations in the world. The Sudirman Mountains form the western portion of the Maoke Range that extend across Irian Jaya from west to the east-southeast. According to scientists, these ranges were formed by ongoing collision of the northward-moving Australian and westward-moving Pacific tectonic plates. Intrusion of hot magma into sedimentary rock layers during uplift of the mountains resulted in the formation of copper- and gold-bearing ore bodies. Rich copper ore bodies were discovered in the area in 1936, and the Grasberg gold-bearing ore bodies were discovered in 1988. This image illustrates the approximately 4 kilometers-wide open-pit portion of the mine complex; there are also extensive underground mine workings. Access roads for trucks hauling ore and waste rock are visible along the sides of the pit.