Govt sends warning letter to Freeport

The director general of geology and mineral resources at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Wimpy S. Tjetjep said he had sent a warning letter to copper and gold giant PT Freeport Indonesia over its negligence in managing tailing, and thus endangering the environment, Koran Tempo daily reported on Tuesday.

"With such a warning letter, it is expected that Freeport will not take it easy in its environmental management," Wimpy said.

Wimpy contended that he sent such a warning letter because there had been piles of tailing that could endanger the environment and people around the operation. If Freeport continues to disregard the warning letter, Wimpy said he would send another harder warning letter.

Meanwhile, Freeport Indonesia president Andrianto Machribie said that he had not yet received such a warning letter.

"Up until now, there is no warning letter," he said.

When asked about the plan of Irian Jaya administration and the Amungme and Kamoro people to buy Freeport stakes, Andrianto said that they would be welcomed to do so, but they must pursued it through the stock market. (*)