Govt Will Not Give Freeport Business License This Year
3 July 2015 16:36 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government suggests that the changing of Freeport Indonesia's contract of work (COW) into a special mining license (IUPK) will not be decided this year. President Joko Widodo will make a decision on the US-miner's business license status once the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) submitted its report on the study of providing Freeport with an IUPK.
State Minister for National Development Planning and Bappenas chief Andrinof Chaniago confirmed that the IUPK cannot be given this year.
Andrinof is targeting for his ministry to finalize the study in November this year. Meanwhile, President Widodo is giving Bappenas a deadline until December 31.
Freeport McMoran CEO Jim Bob Moffett and Freeport Indonesia president director Maroef Sjamsoeddin yesterday visited the president's office. According to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said, Freeport was there to convey its commitment to continue investing in Indonesia.
Maroef Sjamsoeddin was reluctant to comment on the particulars of Freeport's operation status, saying it is a government domain. Freeport, he said, will basically commit to any decision or rule issued by the Indonesian government.
Furthermore, he believes President Widodo is quite appreciative towards the Freeport's investment offers.
"That's just what I assume, it is too premature to say that the government agrees," he said.
RR