Mimika – More than 22 percent of the population in Mimika regency, Papua, or about 40,000 people, are illiterate.

Mimika, with a population of 175,000, ranks fifth in terms of the illiteracy rate in the province after Wamena, Merauke, Paniai and Nabire regencies, Mimika Education Agency chief Yesaya Sombuk said Tuesday. Papua has the highest illiteracy rate of the country's 33 provinces.

The agency is offering a three-month literacy course in the regency's 12 districts with 1,200 residents joining the program, which kicked off Tuesday.

Those who are illiterate – both native Papuans and migrants – live in remote areas as well as urban areas including in Timika, the regency's capital.

The first course, however, is aimed at Papua residents who live in the hinterlands, mountains and coastal areas.

Mimika is home to one of the world's richest gold and copper mines, operated by US-based PT Freeport Indonesia.