Rp 3.5 billion for seven tribes

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Giant copper and gold company PT Freeport Indonesia has given seven indigenous tribes living around its Timika mine Rp 3.5 billion (US$1.46 million) in aid.

Each of the tribes received Rp 500 million, Freeport spokesman Ed Pressman said, adding that the seven are the Komoro, Amungme, Danis, Nduga, Damal, Ekari, and Monis.

The money, he said, was part of the aid package promised by Freeport to help speed up development and improve local people's welfare in Timika and its surrounding areas.

Pressman also said the aid was set aside from the company's annual profit, which was estimated to total Rp 36 billion.

"It is expected that next year the aid will be bigger because the company's profit is likely to soar as well," Pressman was quoted by Antara as saying.