Deputy Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Susilo Siswoutomo says that copper mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia can extend its contract in 2019, when the next Cabinet ends its term.

"Based on the government regulation, proposals for the continuation of mining operations can be filed two years before the [existing] contract ends. Thus, as the Freeport contract ends in 2021, so it can file its extension plan in 2019," Susilo said in Jakarta on Friday as quoted by Antara news agency.

Article 45 of Government Regulation No. 23/2010 on the implementation of mineral and coal mining states that extension requests can be submitted to the government two years prior to expiry at the earliest and six months prior to at the latest.

Susilo denied rumors saying that the government had extended Freeport’s contract.

"No, there has been no extension. The government is not lobbying any party. We are following procedure in line with the regulation," he said.

• [Editor:Juan]