Smelting Gresik, the East Java outfit that processes Freeport Indonesia's ore, has not melted copper since January 27, when it began replacing machine parts and pipes in a routine maintenance process.

Activity at the smelter, which also handles ore from Newmont Nusa Tenggara, another mining giant, has not ceased completely, however. Last week Tempo observed pickups and container trucks passing in and out of the company's facilities, various mining m