Govt will audit Freeport's environmental impact

The office of the state minister of environment will audit the environmental impact of gold and cooper mining giant Freeport Indonesia as part of Proper program, an annual environmental audit carried on the country's mining and industrial sectors, Kompas reported Saturday.

Speaking to reporters during his visit in Yogyakarta on Friday, State Minister of Environment Rachmat Witoelar said that Freeport would be among the companies to be audited under this year's Proper program.

The audit would be carried on Freeport's overall sustainable development program, including the treatment of its mineral waste or tailings. "We have set up a special team to carry out the environmental audit on Freeport's operation," he was quoted as saying.

According to the minister, through the Proper audit program, the government would be able to find out if the company carried out its activities especially those related to environmental protection in line with the existing regulations.

The minister said that about 85 mining and industrial companies had joined the program during the period between 2002 and 2003. The number increased to 466 companies in the auditing period of 2004 and 2005.

"This year, we hope at least 515 companies would join the program," he said. The minister added that the ministry issued environmental certification grades of Gold, Green and Black to the audited companies. (*)