Jayapura, 15/6 (Jubi) – Papua Governor Lukas Enembe warned PT. Freeport Indonesia not to ignore the government’s request for the company to build a smelter.
“Up to now, we are consistent with 17 points including the construction of a smelter. I heard that a smelter would be built in East Java with Newmont. It can not happen, the construction must be done in Papua. We’re still consistent with it and do not play it down, ” Enembe told reporters in Jayapura, Papua on Friday (13/6).
He said that the provincial government has not been able to ascertain how many Freeport shares it will purchase or whether it would be in accordance with market prices.
“The possibility is 10.4 percent, but we have no money. So, what could we do to purchase it? Probably we would engage with the bank or major companies to buy,” he said.
Previously, the contract renegotiation between the Indonesia government and Freeport Indonesia yielded agreement on six points, including the divestment of 30 percent of Freeport shares.
The deal was a surprise given that previously Freeport only agreed to sell 20 percent of its shares. (Jubi / Alex/ Tina)
