Freeport commissions environmental audit<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Giant American copper mining company PT Freeport
\nIndonesia has commissioned two U.S.-based consultancy firms to
\nconduct independent environmental studies of its operations in
\nIrian Jaya.<\/p>\n
The two companies, Labat-Anderson Incorporated of McLean,
\nVirginia, and Dames & Moore Indonesia, a branch of the Los
\nAngeles-based company of the same name, were picked from 10
\napplicants, Freeport said in a statement released yesterday.<\/p>\n
The studies have been commissioned at a total cost of
\nUS$500,000, which will be fully borne by Freeport. Between them,
\nthey will include assessment of rural development in Timika, the
\ntown where Freeport's operations are based, as well as
\nenvironmental, economic and cultural aspects, the statement said.<\/p>\n
The move is part of the company's effort to preserve a
\nhabitable environment for the local people and to prevent any
\nhealth hazards which the copper and gold mining activities might
\ncause to the local people, the statement continued.<\/p>\n
"Dames & Moore will perform the environmental audit and Labat-
\nAnderson will perform the social audit, with completion dates
\nestimated for the first quarter of 1996," the statement added.<\/p>\n
Freeport said the qualifications of the two firms met the
\ncriteria set out by the Environmental Impact Management Agency
\n(Bapedal) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy.<\/p>\n
Independent<\/p>\n
In separate statements, also issued yesterday, the two
\ncompanies said they would work independently and could not be
\ndictated to by Freeport. The results should be publicly announced
\nnext April, they said.<\/p>\n
Freeport's environmental practices have been questioned by
\nsome local non-government organizations. The Indonesian Forum for
\nthe Environment (Walhi) is currently pursuing action in the
\nJakarta State Administrative Court against the Ministry of Mines
\nand Energy for accepting Freeport's environmental impact
\nmanagement plan in spite of objections from the group.<\/p>\n
There have been reports recently that Freeport's area of
\noperations has been the site of a number of clashes between the
\nmilitary and the local people. The National Commission on Human
\nRights and the Army have launched separate investigations into
\nthe reports, according to which at least 17 civilians were
\nkilled.<\/p>\n
The military has said that there have been clashes between
\nsoldiers and rebels of the Free Papua Movement in Timika.<\/p>\n
Paul Murphy, a director of Freeport, denied yesterday
\nsuggestions that his company had anything to do with the clashes.<\/p>\n
Murphy also denied that Freeport's operations in Timika had
\nexcluded the local people.<\/p>\n
"Since our first operation in the 1960s, the number of locals
\nliving in Freeport's area has increased from 600 to 60,000 people
\nat the moment," he said, adding that Freeport contributed
\nsignificantly to the improvement of the local people's welfare.<\/p>\n
Separately, State Minister of Environment Sarwono
\nKusumaatmadja defended Freeport yesterday in the face of
\naccusations that it is neglecting its social and environmental
\nobligations.<\/p>\n
He said Freeport was working to solve some of the problems
\nassociated with the environment.<\/p>\n
"But there are some people out there who would continue to
\npick on its mistakes, and would not be content even if it has
\nmade amends," Sarwono said. "They are seeking to profit from the
\nsituation." (03\/05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/freeport-commissions-environmental-audit-1447893297",
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