Energy Ministry To Inspect Smelter Site In Papua

Biak, Papua (Antara Bali) - The officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and other related ministries will survey the location for the construction of a smelter in Papua on Friday, according to Governor Lukas Enembe.

"A team of officials from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry will conduct a field survey for the construction of PT Freeport Indonesia's copper concentrate smelter. Obviously, the smelter must be built in Papua," the governor stated here on Thursday.

He noted that PT Freeport has been ordered to build the smelter in Papua, and if it is realized, it will offer economic and social benefits to the local community.

Lukas remarked that the Papua provincial government and local community eagerly await the construction of a smelter, which will help to produce Papua's mineral resources such as silver, iron, copper, and other base metals from their ores.

Citing Law No.4 of 2009, Governor Lukas Enembe noted that mining companies need to downstream production and are required to build their own smelters to refine and process the minerals prior to export. Therefore, the governor emphasized that all mining companies operating in Papua must comply with the law to establish their smelters on the land of Papua.

"The people of Papua have abundant natural and mineral resources, and therefore, the mining companies should build their own smelters, so that the local community can also enjoy their positive impact on the economy," the governor affirmed. (WDY)