Freeport fills Irian Jaya lake

Freeport fills Irian Jaya lake

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Gold and copper mining giant PT Freeport
Indonesia has begun to fill up Wanagon Lake, located east of the
Grasberg mine.

"Our feasibility study shows that the lake contains a huge
copper deposit," Freeport's environmental department manager
Wisnu said. "After completing this work we can then start
exploitation."

Wisnu hopes the project can be completed before 2001.

But a report by Antara on Saturday quoted sources at the
Environmental Bureau in Irian Jaya as saying that the company has
yet to obtain proper permits for mining.

The source said Freeport had only asked permission from the
regency but still lacks official permits.

In order to prevent new unrest in Timika, the governor will
only give permission if the traditional land owners authorize PT
Freeport to exploit the lake, the source said. (prb)