House to probe policy to extend Freeport?s export permit

House of Representatives Speaker Setya Novanto said that the House plans to set up a working committee to probe into the government?s recent decision to extend the export permit of gold and copper giant PT Freeport Indonesia.

Setya was quoted as saying Tuesday that the extension of the company?s copper concentrates export permit was seen to be in breach of the 2009 Mining Law, which stipulates that the export of raw minerals must be banned.

The government started banning the export mineral ores in January of last year, but decided to allow certain mineral concentrates including copper concentrates to continue export until 2017, when the necessary smelters are expected to be already built.

Elsewhere, Setya said that the House also opposed PT Freeport?s plan build the required domestic smelter in Gresi, East Java. He said that the company should instead build it in Papua, where it operates the giant Grasberg mine to provide more economic benefits to the local people. (*)