TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Freeport-McMoran CEO Richard C. Adkerson said that his company will gave a 120-day period to the Indonesian government to resolve its disputes with PT Freeport Indonesia. The 120-day period started from the last meeting of the two sides on Monday, February 13, 2017.
According to Adkerson, Freeport would take the disputes to arbitration if the government could not resolve the disputes.
Bambang Gatot, director general of mineral and coal at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, said that the government would not interfere with Freeport Indonesia's decision to take the matter to the international arbitration. Bambang added that the government was just implementing the regulation.
"It's up to them. We're just implementing the laws," Bambang told Tempo at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry in Jakarta on Monday, February 20, 2017.
Bambang admitted that he was baffled with Freeport's rejection to alter its contract to a special mining license (IUPK). Bambang guaranteed that the government remains committed to the existing regulations.
Bambang revealed that the government has continued to hold meetings in response to Freeport's demands. Bambang believes that the public has supported steps that have been taken by the government.
DIKO OKTARA
