Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Freeport mine owners asked to set up smelting project in Timika

Posted at 22:26 on 24 September, 2007 UTC

Papua’s Provincial Legislative Council has asked giant copper and gold mining company Freeport to set up a smelting and refining project for waste products from its mining operations in Timika.

The Jakarta Post quotes a councillor, Jan Ayomi, saying such a smelting company is very important for a less-developed province like Papua as it can create more jobs and improve the local people’s welfare.

He says that by opening a venture, Freeport Indonesia - a subsidiary to giant gold and copper mining and exploration company Freeport McMoran - would be able to utilise its waste products to make feedstock for cement industries.

Mr Ayomi says it would not only contribute to the country’s foreign exchange earnings by exporting its products but also create many job opportunities for the local population.