Freeport to Build Smelters in Timika, Gresik
14 January 2014 09:54 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Freeport Indonesia spokesperson Daisy Primayanto said the company is conducting a feasibility test to build smelter in two places, which are in Gresik, East Java, and Timika, Papua, following the government's ban on raw mineral export. "We are waiting for the test result," she said on Monday, January 13, 2014.
The test includes the most suitable place for building smelter and economic calculation. According to Daisy, smelter construction needs three to four years to finish.
Papua Provincial Government supports the smelter construction in Papua. Papua Governor Lukas Enembe hoped it can boost regional income. "Building a Freeport smelter in Papua could increase regional income and offer job opportunities to our people," he said.
The central government officially imposed ban on raw mineral export in January 12, 2014. Raw mineral must be processed in the country so that the exported commodities are refined and processed products.
CUNDING LEVI