Govt to study outcome of investigation on Freeport?s mine landslide

The government will next Tuesday study the results of an investigation conducted by a government team over the landslide at PT Freeport Indonesia?s (PTFI) copper and gold mining site in Papua, which claimed two lives and halted its production activities.

?Heavy downpours had been suspected to be the cause of the landslide. But, we have yet to carefully study the investigation results,? Geology and Mineral Resources Director General Wimpy S. Tjetjep told reporters.

A landslide occurred on Oct. 9 at PTFI?s Grasberg mining site in Mimika, Papua, killing two workers and injuring five. Meanwhile, five workers were reported missing. The company partially closed the Grasberg mine for two-week investigation.

Wimpy said the mine closure, initially planned to end on Oct. 23, would continue until further notice by the government.

Wimpy said earlier that the government could extend the mine?s partial closure if overproduction was found to be the cause of the landslide. Overproduction violates production permits given to PTFI, he said.

PTFI is the unit of world mining giant New Orleans-based Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (godang)