UPDATE 1-Freeport says staff acquitted in Congo visa dispute

Fri Oct 9, 2009 3:40pm GMT

[-] Text [+]

* Freeport workers acquitted had been detained since August

* Government had accused them of stealing visa fees

(Adds details)

By Thomas Hubert

KINSHASA, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Freeport-MacMoRan (FCX.N: Quote) said on Friday it was informed by Congo authorities that three employees detained on charges of embezzling millions in a visa scam have been acquitted.

"The acquittal of our employees has just been announced to us," Freeport spokeswoman Margaret Kabamba told Reuters.

Two Congolese staff and Dirk Vanhooymissen, the administrator of Freeport's huge Tenke Fungurume Mining joint venture, were arrested in August for allegedly stealing several million dollars in visa and work permit fees.

The announcement comes as officials from U.S.-based Freeport visit Congo with the aim of negotiating a protracted dispute over the contract governing the TFM mine project, widely considered to be the largest and highest grade undeveloped copper and cobalt project in the world.

Freeport has a 57.75 percent stake in the Tenke mine. Toronto-listed Lundin Mining (LUN.TO: Quote) owns 24.75 percent with Congolese state miner Gecamines holding 17.5 percent.

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