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)