Lawsuit against Freeport dismissed

Lawsuit against Freeport dismissed

JAKARTA: PT Freeport Indonesia and Freeport-McMoRan Copper &
Gold Inc. (FCX) have welcomed a recent decision by the U.S.
District Court in New Orleans, Louisiana, to dismiss with
finality a third amended lawsuit against the companies.

The lawsuit was filed by U.S. attorney Martin E. Regan, Jr. on
behalf of Tom Beanal, a leader of the Amungme tribe of Irian
Jaya.

"We sincerely hope that we can now begin a new chapter in our
relations with the Amungmes and work together with them and with
all concerned parties on the important but difficult process of
managing social change and development in Irian Jaya," said
Garland Robinette, FCX vice president of communications, in a
statement on Thursday.

He expressed hope that the lawsuit dismissal would result in
improved communications with the Amungme people.

The original lawsuit against Freeport was filed in April 1996
and was dismissed by the Federal Court on three previous
occasions.

Freeport is engaged in mineral exploration and development,
and mining and milling of copper, gold and silver in Irian Jaya's
Timika regency.