All Freeport Workers Buried in Tunnel Found: Energy Ministry
22 May 2013 02:22 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources announced Tuesday that all victims of the Big Gossan mine collapse have been evacuated. Of the 38 training participants buried in the tunnel, 21 died while 10 were injured.
"This afternoon we received news from the rescue team that all victims have been found," said Thamrin Sihite, director general of mineral and coal at the Energy Ministry, Tuesday, May 21.
Thamrin said that the government had instructed fill evaluation over what happened. "We must collect data before knowing the exact cause," he said. According to Thamrin, there could be some geological structure elements that affect the stability the underground tunnel.
Energy Minister Jero Wacik said he had ordered a halt to all operations at Freeport. He also said that he had contacted local mining company, PT Aneka Tambang, to check their underground mines to prevent a similar incident.
On May 14, the training facility tunnel belonging to US-owned gold and copper mining company, PT Freeport Indonesia, collapsed. Thirty-eight workers were buried in the rubble of a tunnel located in the Tembagapura District, Papua.
AYU PRIMA SANDI