Feeport open-pit mine still suspended

By Maryati Dimursi

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) continued to suspend mining activities at PT Freeport Indonesia open-pit mine in Grasberg, Papua Province.

Bambang Susigit, Environmental and Technical Director at the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal at the ministry, said that the mining giant would only be allowed to resume the mining activities after it implements a set of recommendations made by the ministry in the wake of the September 27 deadly road accident at the mining area that killed four workers.

Bambang said that his office has completed investigation into the collision between a pickup car carrying workers and a large haul truck, and has issued six-point recommendations that must be implemented by Freeport Indonesia particularly to help improve road safety in the mining area.

He pointed out that of particular importance that must be immediately followed up by Freeport is to make identification and assessment and control of risk at the entire haul truck parking areas and active roads in the mining site.

Bambang warned Feeport not to resume the mining operation until the recommendations have been implemented, or risk its permit be revoked by the government.

Editing by Reiner Simajuntak