An American mining company has been conducting gold and copper mining explorations in Hoya, Jila, Mimika district, a local official said today. "The company has completed its first, second and third exploration and it is now entering the fourth stage of its explorations. Upon completion, a contract of work will be signed to enable them to start operating," ANTARA quoted Head of the Local Mining Office Oktavianus Kambu as saying. He said the Mimika Administration as owner of the land could only give an in-principle permit while the others are relying on the central government and the Papua provincial administration as gold and copper mining operations are categorized under B group. Besides gold and copper, he added, Mimika also has potential coal deposits in Potowaiburu, Mimika Barat Jauh subdistrict which has yet to be explored and oil in Agimuga subdistrict. Another US-based mining company, PT Freeport Indonesia has been operating in the district for almost 40 years since 1968.
