Freeport to stop limestone import

Freeport to stop limestone import

JAKARTA (JP): PT Freeport Indonesia (FI) will stop limestone
imports from Australia and some Middle East countries to cut
foreign exchange spending, Antara reported yesterday.

The company's environment department manager, Wisnu Soesetyo,
was quoted by Antara in Timika as saying that the company spent
at least US$8 million per year to import the limestone.

He said the money did not include limestone purchases from
Java.

According to Wisnu, the purchase of limestone and shipping
cost the Irian Jaya-based copper producer $200 per ton.

The company, which also produces gold from its mine in
Grassberg, Irian Jaya, needs at least 100 tons of limestone
everyday. Limestone is used in the copper decomposition process
and soil acidity neutralization.

Freeport Indonesia began building its limestone processing
plant in Tembagapura earlier this year. The plant, which will use
local limestone, is expected to begin production at the end of
the year.

Wisnu said the company would stop buying limestone from other
provinces if the Tembagapura plant could meet the limestone
demand.

PT Freeport Indonesia is 80 percent owned by Freeport McMoran
Copper and Gold of the United States, with the remaining 20
percent owned by the Indonesian government and Nusamba, a company
controlled by foundations chaired by President Soeharto.

Freeport has operated in Irian Jaya since 1973. (08)