On Tuesday, she reported to Antara that in principle, PT Freeport is ready to build a smelter, but a study is still on-going in order to determine the best location for it.
She added that three proposed locations that are still being evaluated are Gresik, East Java, and Timika, in Papua.
She admitted that it would take three to four years to build the plant.
Actually, PT Freeport has already commenced construction work on one smelter in Gresik, but it will still take time for it to become operational, she claimed.
When questioned about the impact of the law on the operations of the company, she replied by saying that she was unsure, though the most likely impact will perhaps be a decrease in production.
"Probably, the production capacity will be reduced and if it continues, then a reduction in workforce is also likely to happen," she added.
She stated that, as of now, there are no plans of reducing the workforce.
Chairman of Commission A of the Papua Legislative Council Ruberin Magay remarked on a separate occasion that he fully supported the implementation of the Law Number 4 of 2009, which requires the mining companies in Indonesia to build smelters in the country.
He reported that a lot of natural resources in the country have so far been exported, and thus the development of smelters in the country will offer employment opportunities to more workers.
Magay explained that the mining companies will possibly cut production and workforce following the implementation of the law. However, he hoped that PT Freeport will not follow suit.
He was also hopeful that the company will build a smelter in Papua.
(E006/H-YH/INE)
EDITED BY INE
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
