Governor Solossa appreciates Freeport?s, BP Indonesia?s environment programs

Papua province governor J.P. Solossa has expressed his appreciation over the achievements made by copper and gold miner PT Freeport Indonesia and oil and gas producer BP Indonesia in their environment re-vegetation programs in the country?s easternmost region, Neraca daily reported on Monday.

Solossa said over the weekend Freeport had succeeded to carry out its land reclamation and regreening programs at its copper and gold mining sites in Mimika regency. Meanwhile, BP Indonesia, whose gas exploitation projects in Tangguh district are expected to be operational in a few years, had succeeded to assure the local people that its activities would not damage area environment, Solossa said.

The government admitted however that Freeport had not yet completed its revegetation programs in its mining areas in Papua. "But I am certain they are making progress towards full rehabilitation," Solossa said.

Freeport Indonesia is a unit of U.S. gold mining giant Freeport Mc Moran Copper & Gold, while BP Indonesia is owned by Anglo-American energy giant BP PLC. (*)