Freeport CEO not concerned about personal safety in Indonesia: Report

Thursday, October 3 2002 - 01:26 AM WIB

The murder of two U.S. school teachers employed by Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Co. near its vast mine in Indonesia has not brought any changes in security, the company's chairman and chief executive officer was quoted by Reuters as saying Wednesday.

James (Jim Bob) Moffett, fresh from a trip to the mine in Irian Jaya, told the Denver Gold Group's Mining Investment Forum that his own personal security measures were no different than those the company has employed for its 16,000 workers there.

Moffett said he feels safer in Indonesia than he does elsewhere. "It's a lot more calm over there than it is in most metropolises," Moffett said.

In the shooting attack two teachers were killed and 10 others wounded. Authorities said they suspected Indonesia separatists but the group later denied any involvement in the Aug. 31 attack.

Moffett praised the operation for pulling together and delivering record results for the third quarter. The mine produced 23,500 ounces of gold on Sept. 29, setting a new record for daily production, he said.

New Orleans-based Freeport-McMoRan produces about 1.4 billion pounds of copper and 2.3 million ounces of gold annually. (*)

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