Freeport sees no threat toward its Irian Jaya mining operation

The giant gold and copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia said that there had been no threat directed toward its mining operation in Irian Jaya province amid rising anti-U.S. protest in several parts of the country.

But the company said Wednesday in a statement that it was taking prudent measures and advising employees to exercise caution.

?Freeport operations continue to function on a normal basis and we anticipate no interruptions,? it said.

?There are adequate Indonesian security personnel assigned to Freeport?s operations area. They are very professional and dedicated to protecting company assets and facilities as well as all residents of the area,? added.

Certain Muslim radical groups have earlier threatened to expel U.S. citizens and Britons and to attack foreign assets after the U.S. government launched air strikes against Afghanistan.

Freeport Indonesia, which is controlled by U.S.-based Freeport-McMoRan Inc., operates the vast Grasberg mining site in Irian Jaya, some 2,000 miles away from Jakarta, where anti-U.S. protest had been particularly strong.

Freeport currently only employs three U.S. citizens, and some 98 percent of its employees are Indonesians.

The company also said that its relations with the local people had been quite well.(Amoros)