Freeport suspends Big Gossan mine following deadly incident

Courtesy of Freeport

Gold and copper giant PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) has suspended operations of its Big Gossan underground mine in Tembagapura, Mimika Regency, Papua Province, following gas leak incident on Wednesday which killed one worker, Antara reported on Friday.

PTFI Spokesman Riza Pratama told the news agency that the suspension was made as investigation into the incident, which has also caused two other workers being hospitalized, is still ongoing.

He added that it remains unclear as to when the suspension will be lifted.

Antara said that the three workers were conducting production activity preparations at the underground mine when poisonous gas leaked early on Wednesday. A worker of PTFI contractor by the name of Hendry Munardy (49 years old) died, while two others are currently being treated at the hospital.

Antara said that on May 14, 2013 an underground tunnel of a training facility at Big Gossan collapsed, killing 28 workers, and injured five. (*)