Minister 'Disappointed' over Freeport Smelter
21 January 2015 12:24 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said gave an ultimatum to US-based miner Freeport Indonesia, stating his disappointment over the lack of progress in the smelter construction, a contract extension requirement that the miner had promised to fulfill.
"Freeport's smelter progress is still far [from completion], I'm not happy. I'm disappointed because they don't seem serious about it," Sudirman said yesterday.
The minister said to have received reports from Mining and Coal director general R. Sukhyar that Freeport has not even decided on where they will build the smelter.
Sudirman then gave an ultimatum, saying that if by January 25 Freeport fails to show significant progress in the smelter construction, the miner's concentrate export license will be suspended.
Freeport's management was unable to contact for confirmation. Sometime ago, former president director Rozik Soetjipto said the construction will wait for the government's decision regarding the company's contract extension in Indonesia. In early January, Rozik was replaced by Maroef Sjamsuddin.
ALI HIDAYAT | CUNDING LEVI (PAPUA)