JATAM calls on Freeport to announce Freeport report

The Mining Advocates Network (JATAM) called on Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Rizal Ramli to announce the results of the investigations against copper and gold miner PT Freeport Indonesia by the government-set joint team to evaluate Freeport. JATAM coordinator Chalid Muhammad said that the report should have been made into public by the end of June, as the team should have completed their investigation at the end of June.

"We regret the position of Coordinating Minister Rizal Ramli who has not announced the findings by the joint team on Freeport," Chalid said in Jakarta on Thursday.

He called on the government to announce whatever results of the evaluation. "If what Freeport has been doing is not correct, say it so. Thus, the government will have strong argument to re-negotiate its contract of works (COW) with Freeport. If possible, in my opinion, the government should conduct a moratorium of the COW."

The team, established on March 20 based on decree No. KEP.07/M.EKUIN/03/2000 by then coordinating minister for economy, finance and industry Kwik Kian Gie, consisted of two sub-teams, with members consisting of high-ranking officials from related departments and offices. The team was given three months time to complete the investigation against Freeport. (*)