Freeport resumes operations after protesters end blockade
Saturday, February 25 2006 - 11:32 AM WIB
?Traditional miners from 7 tribes and officials from Freeport had held traditional peace ritual ? stone burning? today and they agree to end blockade after conveying their aspirations,? said Freeport Indonesia?s Siddharta Moersjid. Freeport Indonesia, which operates one of the world?s largest copper and gold mine complex, is a subsidiary of US miner Freeport McMoRan Copper& Gold Inc.
Television report said that peace agreement was brokered by Papuan security forces.
Siddharta said Freeport had promptly resumed mining operations and expected to resume normal capacity shortly. MS. Marpaung, an official with the ministry of energy and mineral resources said that he had received report from Freeport operations official that full operations might be achieved late Saturday.
Traditional alluvial miners, which operated with Freeport?s mine, clashed with security team, which consisted of police, military, and Freeport security, leaving 3 miners injured. The incident prompted the miners, backed by their respective tribes to erect blockade in main road and forced Freeport to halt mining and processing operations. The miners initially demanded that Freeport?s entire operations be closed and they asked to personally meet with Freeport McMoRan?s Chairman of the board James Moffett. Moffett was not there during the stone burning ceremony.
The blockade came amid call from Indonesian government?s call to increase Freeport?s royalty payment and to investigate environmental destruction the company had caused in its operations. (godang)