"The land release for smelter construction has been done in the hope that the plant can be constructed this year," Wonda said.
The construction of the smelter is the governments project along with Freeport involving a number of investors, he said.
The construction of a smelter in Papua will be beneficial for the region and the local community in terms of economics and social aspects because it provides greater employment opportunities and gives a multiplier effect for the development, Wonda said.
"The legislature and the government continue to encourage the smelter could be built in Papua," he said.
The support from the Papuan people in providing land for the smelter construction site is a positive attitude in supporting development in the region.
Freeport Indonesia has also prepared the location for the construction of a smelter in Gresik, East Java.
The law on mineral and coal establishes the obligation of a contract of work holder who is in the production period to carry out raw material processing/refining in the country. The provisions contained in Freeports Contract of Work has included the obligation to conduct a feasibility study on the establishment of smelters in Indonesia.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
