Freeport Indonesia offers stake to govt at US$1.7 billion: energy ministry official

[JAKARTA] Freeport McMoRan Inc's Indonesian unit offered the 10.64 per cent stake it must divest to the government at a price of US$1.7 billion, an energy ministry official said.

The assets of Freeport Indonesia were valued at US$16.2 billion, Bambang Gatot, the ministry's director general of coal and minerals said on Thursday. "Finance Minister will decide who will take this divestment," he said.

Indonesian officials have said previously it will decide within 60 days whether it will buy the stake or offer it to a state-owned enterprise or regional government.

REUTERS