TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Freeport Indonesia and Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry have begun the second phase of negotiation that discussed four issues. The negotiation is done every week.

Secretary of the Energy Minister Teguh Pamudji said the four issues discussed in the negotiation are investment stability, fiscal policies, the continuation of operation after 2021 and building of smelters.

Read: Freeport Soften Stance on Contract Row

Teguh explained that Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan hopes those four issues could be resolved in October this year.

"Those four issues have to be discussed in one package, in accordance with the instruction from the Energy Minister. The minister also said that the negotiation is expected to be finalized in October this year,” he said Friday, May 5.

In the meantime, Freeport-Mc Moran Inc. CEO Richard Adkerson said the company would continue to find win-win solutions. He also hopes that the arbitration would not be continued although the government did not rule out the arbitration.

Previously, the U.S-based company and the government have finalized the first phase of negotiation discussing the issue of short-term operations. According to the result of the first negotiation, the company finally operated again by exporting copper concentrate after it received a recommendation from the government. Freeport also received a temporary special mining permit (IUPK).

BISNIS.COM