Freeport builds power plant

Freeport builds power plant

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The giant mining company, PT Freeport
Indonesia, has started building a 260-megawatt steam-powered
electricity plant in Amamapare, Timika, Irian Jaya.

The plant, said to be the biggest in eastern Indonesia, will
supply power to the center of Freeport's mining operations in
Tembagapura, 170 kilometers from Amamapare.

The head of the provincial office of the state electricity
company (PLN), Fuad, said yesterday the plant, to be built to
American standards, will have a frequency of 60 hz. If it used
the Indonesian standard of 50 hz, the plant would benefit the
province, he said.

"If it used 50 hz, the power plant's excess electricity could
be used by the villagers and local industries, which have been
growing rapidly due to Freeport's mining activities in the area,"
he said.

He urged the company to follow the country's standard as the
plant was being built in Indonesian.

Freeport Indonesia is the world's biggest gold and copper
mining company.

The power plant is expected to be completed by the end of
1997. (swe)