Auditor lauds Freeport

JAKARTA (JP): International auditor Montgomery Watson praised gold mining company PT Freeport Indonesia for its "exemplary" environmental management system at its Irian Jaya site, Freeport announced on Wednesday.

Freeport said in a statement that Montgomery's audit described its environmental management system as "a showcase for the mining industry", citing the company's compliance with the existing environmental laws and regulations.

It did not specify when the audit took place.

Freeport has long been blamed for causing environmental degradation around its mining site in Grasberg.

The audit result was announced amid reports that Freeport's tailings have contaminated mollusks, a food source for local people, in the area's rivers.

Montgomery recommended Freeport conduct a comprehensive groundwater study and monitoring, and increase biological monitoring of estuaries downstream of the tailings depositing area to gauge the impact upon the mollusks. (jsk)