Indonesia's Antam mulls buying Freeport's local stake

JAKARTA, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Indonesia's state mining company PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) (ANTM.JK: Quote, Profile, Research)(ATM.AX: Quote, Profile, Research), said it is considering buying up to 18.72 percent of PT Freeport Indonesia, the local unit of U.S. mining corp Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc (FCX.N: Quote, Profile, Research).

Antam said in a statement to the stock exchange late on Thursday that is has received "verbal support" from Indonesia's state enterprises ministry to acquire the stake. (Reporting by Harry Suhartono, editing by Sara Webb)