Rally Demands Freeport Involve Residents in Metal Scrapping
Monday, 27 November, 2006 | 18:28 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Timika: The residents claiming to be representatives of the Amungme and Kamoro tribes held a rally today (27/11) at Freeport Indonesia’s office in Kuala Kencana City, Papua.

They were demanding to be allowed to sell scrap metal in front of Bethelem Church, Kuala Kencana City.

The location is across from the office complex of PT Freeport Indonesia Ofice Building I, Kuala Kencana City.

The residents asked Freeport not to be discriminative in giving scrap metal license to certain individuals only.

“We ask Freeport to involve the Elat Merah Community Cooperative in the scrap metal business,” said one of residents.

The cooperative is led by Agustinus Anggaibak.

August Kafiar, Vice President of PT Freeport Indonesia, contacted Agustinus Anggaibak and said that the scrap metal business matter will be discussed with other Freeport Indonesia’s leaders.

The reason is, said Kafiar, was that he was not authorized to decide about the matter by himself.

Kafiar also promised Agustinus Anggaibak to review the proposal that has been put forward by the Elat Merah Community Cooperative.

Demianus Kobagau, one of Amungme residents, said none of Freeport’s activities can be enjoyed by the residents.

“Even in scrap metal, we’re not being involved,” said Demianus.

Based on working safety standards set by PT Freeport Indonesia, all heavy machines of this mining company will be scrapped after the usage term ends no matter whether the condition is still good or bad.

PT Freeport Indonesia’s scrap metal, according to a merchant in Timika, is usually sold to Surabaya with market prices of between Rp1,300 to Rp1,500 per kilogram.

“For each sale, we can ship thousands of scrap metal to Surabaya,” said the merchant.

The amount of each transaction, said the merchant, reaches billions of Rupiah.

Tjahjono EP