Freeport-McMoRan announced that five additional workers have been found dead at its Grasberg copper mine in eastern Indonesia following a recent mudflow. The company confirmed the fatalities amid ongoing rescue and recovery efforts at the site. The mud flow, which disrupted operations at the mine, initially caused a halt in production and raised safety concerns among workers and local authorities.
The incident occurred in a remote area of the mine complex, which is one of the world’s largest copper and gold mining operations. Freeport stated that rescue teams are working to locate and assist any other workers who may still be unaccounted for. The company has also launched an investigation into the causes of the mudflow and the safety measures in place prior to the event.
Local authorities have been coordinating with Freeport to ensure safety protocols are followed and to assess any environmental impact resulting from the mudflow. The region has experienced heavy rains recently, which are believed to have contributed to the mudflow. The company has expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and has committed to ensuring safety improvements moving forward.
No further details were provided regarding the total number of workers present at the site or the timeline for resuming operations. The incident underscores ongoing safety challenges in mining operations in Indonesia’s difficult terrain and weather conditions.