Freeport warned for using forest areas without permit

The Forestry Ministry has warned copper and gold giant PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) in West Papua for conducting mining activities in protected forest areas without a prior approval.

Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan said in Jakarta on Monday a warning letter had been sent to PTFI aksing the company to stop the mining activities until the forest-use permit it had applied was issued.

He said that the company was also asked to fulfill all the requirements needed to process the permit. ?In the letter, we urged Freeport to complete all the requirement in order to be able to obtain the forest-use permit,? he added.

Zulkifli said that he had not yet received any reply from the company. ?For this reason, I will send another warning letter to the company,? he said. (*)