Freeport?s Grasberg open-pit mine running at 20 percent

PT Freeport Indonesia?s Grasberg open-pit mine in Papua is now running at 20 percent of its capacity as many workers stopped work to demand higher salaries, according to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro.

Purnomo said he had also been informed that the underground mine operation of the company was running at 60 percent of its capacity.

?Thus, operations are continuing, but at lower condition,? Purnomo said.

He called on both the workers and the management to solve their disagreement, warning that a prolonged dispute between them could cut the government?s potential revenue from the mine. (godang/bernard)