Freeport Boss Affirms 10 Percent Of Shares' Divestment Process Is Still In Discussion Stage

President Director of PTFI Tony Wenas (Photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

JAKARTA - President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) Tony Wenas emphasized that the process of releasing 10 percent of Freeport's shares to the Indonesian government is still in the discussion stage.

Dikeahui, divestasi saham merupakan salah satu syarat perpanjangan Izin Usaha Pertambangan Khusus (IUPK) bagi Freeport. Selain itu, pemerintah juga berencana memberikan perpanjangan IUPK lebih awal.

"The extension of the IUPK includes an additional 10 percent divestment and also the construction of a smelter. It is still in the final discussion stage. So I can't comment there yet," Tony told the media quoted on Friday, June 21.

In addition to releasing its share ownership by 10 percent, Freeport is also required to build a new purification plant or smelter in Fakfak, West Papua.

Regarding the construction of the new smelter, Tony also emphasized that it is still being discussed with the government.

"It (the smelter construction) is also still in the discussion stage. It is part of the (requisites) for the extension of the IUPK," said Tony.

Previously, the Director of Mineral and Coal Program Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Tri Winarno, said that the government would provide conditions for the construction of a smelter other than the Manyar in Gresik if Freeport submitted an extension of the IUPK.

"Adding to two smelters. In Papua it is rich," he said on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.