TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Investigation team from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry is still investigating the collapse of underground mining owned by PT Freeport Indonesia. The temporary allegation is that the collapse of rocks in West Muck Bay mining was caused by an error in standard operating procedures (SOP).

“Our allegation is that the company didn’t follow the SOP, but it’s still just an assumption,” said mineral and coal director general R. Sukhyar on Tuesday.

According to Sukhyar, the allegation is from the government and it will still be validated by the investigation team. “What is clear is that the incident occurred in Freeport’s development area, not in producing area,” he said.

On Friday, September 12, at 23:30 Eastern Indonesian Time, a ground failure occurred at West Muck Bay, Grassberg Block Cave’s underground mining area. The incident, which caused rocks to fall down, killed Boby Hermawan, mining operator.

Some parts of jumbo drill at the location was also buried by the falling materials. Brad Skinner, who operated the jumbo drill, was successfully rescued from the ruins.

Regarding the incident, PT Freeport Indonesia president director Rozik B. Sutjipto said that he had reported it to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. “The ministry will follow up our report,” he said.

AYU PRIMA SANDI