TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-Listed mining company PT Antam (Persero) Tbk., known as Antam for short, is ready to engage in the divestment of fellow miner PT Freeport Indonesia whenever the government approved it.

“Antam is ready if appointed [by the government],” Tedy said at the State-owned Enterprises (SOE) Ministry in Jakarta on Thursday, October 15, 2015.

According to Tedy, the Ministry has yet appointed a company to be involved in Freeport’s share divestment. However, Tedy asserted that Antam would be ready to compete for the appointment.

Tedy revealed that Antam would team up with other companies in order to prepare the necessary fund. In terms of technology, Tedy explained that Antam had utilized similar technology with Freeport’s since both companies operated in the same sector.

Fajar Sampurno, a deputy for mining, strategic industries and media at the State-owned Enterprises Ministry, revealed that the government had yet decided related to SOE appointment for the divestment. According to Fajar, the decision will be issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.

US-based miner Freeport Indonesia is preparing to float some of its shares to the public this October. The shares will be released gradually until 2019, or two years before the company's contract in Indonesia ends.

ADITYA BUDIMAN