Case Summary: Below a Mountain of Wealth, a River of Waste

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Case summary: Below a Mountain of wealth, a River of Waste New York Times took a serious of investigation to Freeport-McMoRan Company, which is one of the world largest copper and gold producers. The investigation includes searches to its environment pollution issue and safety policies in Indonesia. The New York Times focus on the relationship between the Freeport Company and the military as well as police department in Papua. The investigation reveals some contacts and financial support to the military. While some of its stockholders concern potential violations of laws and human rights, the company says they “take appropriate step” to strictly follow the Indonesian and American law to give profit to military and bring a secure working environment for the employees. The mine in Papua becomes an important chance for the military to get huge profit. For safety propose, Freeport needs military and police to protect them. Freeport has to pay not only “construction cost” to military and police units, but also “living fee” to individual military officers to support their daily life. The New York City pension fund is one of shareholders of Freeport. They argue the payment to government department will violate the “Foreign Corrupt Practices Act”. Then the Securities and Exchange Commission also pays attention to this issue. In addition, the environment ministry finds Freeport dispose of mine waste into the rivers and sea, and resulting in massive die-off of vegetations and organisms. For Freeport, they have an uneasy coexistence with the Indonesia government. Freeport plays a key role in the mine industry as well as Papua development, so they have the responsibility to build a healthy and positive reputation to society. They give huge amount financial support to the government department for security purpose is absolutely an unreasonable and illegal

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