Timika people look for gold at Freeport's waste disposal area

Due to growing economic pressure, hundreds of people living in Timika, the capital of Papua's Mimika regency and nearby areas are searching for gold at PT Freeport Indonesia's waste disposal area in a river not far from the town, Kompas reported on Thursday.

Not aware of the dangers from the mineral waste, the people often spent the whole day to pan the mineral waste dumped by the gold and copper giant into the river. "Some time, we can get one to three grams a day," said Yopin, one of the gold seekers.

The people not only came from Timika but also from villages near the town to find gold in the mineral waste ground. A number of migrants from Java and South Sulawesi were also seen trying their luck at the river.

Gold seekers sell high-grade gold at Rp 120,000 (about US$12) per gram and Rp 100,000 per gram for the low grade one. "Our earning from these activities is good enough to support our living," Yopin said.

Freeport is the subsidiary of American firm Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold. (*)