Irian tribal chief sues Freeport-McMoRan
Irian tribal chief sues Freeport-McMoRan
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, USA (Reuter): An Indonesian tribal leader has filed a US$6 billion class action suit against Freeport-McMoRan Inc., charging the mining company with environmental and cultural destruction.
The suit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in New Orleans, also lists Freeport's mining affiliate, Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc. of New Orleans, as a defendant.
Freeport spokesman Garland Robinette said Tuesday, "There is no basis in law or in fact for the claims."
The suit was filed in the name of Tom Beanal, a leader of the Amungme Tribal Council near the company's Irian Jaya mine site and outspoken critic of the company.
The Freeport mine, some 1,870 miles (3,000 km) east of the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, sits on one of the largest known gold and copper reserves in the world.
The suit claims Freeport has engaged in "eco-terrorism," "cultural genocide" and corporate policies that have led to human rights violations against tribal people, as well as environmental destruction of resources the tribe needs.
The complaint was filed against Freeport under a federal law that allows aliens to sue in U.S. courts for violations of international law.
"Frankly, we're a little confused," Robinette said. "We have a letter from Tom Beanal, that was signed in front of Freeport employees April 26 that says he wants to establish a close working relationship with Freeport, especially to restore the reputation of indigenous groups."
The company's Indonesian operations have been plagued with allegations of wrongdoing after an Australian activist group accused the company of violating the rights of tribal people near the Irian Jaya mine a year ago.
Tensions have continued to flare and on March 12, three people were killed during riots, which forced the mine to close for 2.5 days.
Freeport Indonesia then announced in mid-April that it would set aside 1 percent of its annual revenue, or $15 million, to help the people in the Irian Jaya province.
It also said it would employ more local people and set up a fund for the area's development.
Freeport Indonesia is 82-percent owned by Freeport-McMoRan Cooper and Gold Inc., the affiliate of Freeport-McMoRan. The Indonesian government and PT Indocopper Investama own 9 percent each.
The attorney who filed the suit could not be reached for comment.
According to the suit, Freeport's security guards "engaged in summary execution, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, disappearances, surveillance and the destruction of property."