TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Freeport Indonesia views that the requirements set by the government in the temporary special mining permit (IUPK) are aimed at providing assurance for investors. Huge investment value was the reason for Freeport to maintain several articles in the contract of works.

“We just want investment stability, so that our investors will feel comfortable in making the investment, since there are differences between the special mining permit and the contract of works,” Freeport Indonesia spokesperson Riza Pratama said after attending a closed hearing with the House of Representatives Commission VII overseeing energy affairs in Jakarta on Thursday, February 9, 2017.

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Currently, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) is evaluating the temporary special mining permit applied by Freeport. With such a permit, Freeport will be allowed to export concentrates for the next six months.

Riza added that Freeport is committed to switching to the special mining permit.

“We asked for several conditions, and we have several disagreements with the government. There are also requirements that we haven’t met yet, but the transition won’t be so fast. We are in the process of applying it,” Riza explained.

In response to a question related to the closed meeting with the House, Riza refused to provide details of the discussion.

“We were discussing challenges to be faced by Freeport in the future, particularly those related to Government Regulation No. 1/2017,” Riza said.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO | ABDUL MALIK