Foreign firms ready to replace Freeport
Thursday, April 20 2000 - 03:30 AM WIB
Deputy Governor of Papua province JRG Djopari said on Tuesday that there were several foreign companies, which had already expressed interest to replace the position of giant gold mining firm PT Freeport Indonesia if the latter leave the province.
Djopari was quoted as saying by the Berita Buana afternoon daily that mining companies from Canada and the Kennedy Foundation were set to replace Freeport.
He said that this should be a warning to Freeport to immediately show its good intention to the Papua people.
He said that he had already talked about this with Freeport.
"This is the first warning, let's see what are their intentions," he said.
Freeport has been lambasted for environmental destruction, lack of commitment to the development of the local Papua people, corruption and other wrongdoings.
There has been suggestion for the government to review or even terminate the Freeport mining contract.
An integrate team is currently conducting an environmental audit on Freeport. (*)