No manpower problem in developing Busang

No manpower problem in developing Busang

BANDUNG (JP): PT Freeport Indonesia says it will face no
problem recruiting workers to develop the Busang gold mine in
East Kalimantan and to expand its gold mine in Irian Jaya.

The president of PT Freeport Indonesia, Andrianto Machribie,
said in Bandung yesterday his company had anticipated the need to
employ workers for its expansion in Irian Jaya and development of
the Busang gold mine.

He said the fastest way to get more workers was to recruit
experts and graduates from the Institute of Technology in
Bandung.

But he said PT Freeport Indonesia, which the government has
approved as sole operator of the Busang gold mine, needed
experienced workers for the gold mine development.

He said his company was working on how to mobilize workers for
its projects.

"We know that by becoming the sole operator of the Busang gold
mine we have to recruit more people. We may bring a number of our
workers in Irian Jaya to Busang," he was quoted by Antara as
saying.

PT Freeport Indonesia employs about 7,000 people, of which
2,000 are Irian Jayans, 280 foreigners and the rest from other
parts of Indonesia.

PT Freeport Indonesia, which is a subsidiary of McMoran-
Freeport Copper and Gold of the U.S., and Canada's Bre-X Minerals
Ltd. announced last month they had signed a binding agreement to
develop the Busang gold mine II and III in East Kalimantan.

According to the deal which has already been approved by the
Indonesian government, Bre-X will have 45 percent of Busang,
Freeport 15 percent and Indonesian companies and the government
40 percent.

Bre-X said it expected to receive its contract of work from
the Indonesian government by the end of March. The company needs
the document to proceed with the project. (ahy/bnt)