Indonesia considers suspending Freeport operations

The Indonesian government is considering the possibility of suspending the operations of giant gold and copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia following the death of four of its employees in a mine-site landslide, the Suara Pembaruan daily reported on Wednesday.

State Environment Minister Sonny Keraf was quoted by the daily as saying a site examination was currently being conducted by a joint team from the office of the environment minister and the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting at the Bina Graha presidential office on Wednesday, Sonny said that the government will make a decision whether to suspend or legally prosecute PT Freeport only after the team gives its final reports. "There is a possibility that the government will suspend the operations of PT Freeport," he reiterated.

Sonny also said that based on temporary results of the site examination, toxic waste was discovered at the location of the accident where the four employees were killed.

A small mountain of mining waste reportedly collapsed following four days of heavy rains at the company's mine in Irian Jaya earlier this month. The collapse sent a wave of water and material, washing away the four employees.

Sonny said that he had already discussed the possibility of taking the company to court over the death of the four employees with President Abdurrahman Wahid.

The incident happened at a time when Freeport was under increasing pressure from local environmental groups for allegedly failing to reduce the environment impacts of the mines. (*)