Long-running negotiations between mining giant Freeport and the Indonesian government continued Thursday, Aug. 10, with high ranking ministers meeting business leaders remaining tight-lipped on the outcome.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan met with Freeport to discuss a proposal to convert Freeport’s contract of work to a mining license, according to local media reports.
Government representatives refused to comment on the meeting, dodging reporters after exiting.
The Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Head Suahasil Nazara said prior to the meeting that continuing operations, smelter development, state revenue and divestment would be addressed, according to the Jakarta Post.
These issues have long been on the agenda for negotiations with divestment and smelter development major government demands before granting a license extension.