Release: PTNNT: Contract employee drowned in accident at Batu Hijau project

PTNNT deeply regrets to announce that a contract employee who was previously reported missing as a result of the excavator accident at the Mine on Saturday, 14 October, has now been found and recovered on Monday, 16 October, at 02:25 am.

?We deeply regret this tragic incident. We extend our profound condolences to the employee?s dependants,? said Kasan Mulyono, company spokesperson.

The late Mr Abdul Majid was hired by PT Inamco, a labor supply contractor as an excavator operator working for PTNNT?s Mining Department on a hired Trakindo excavator.

When the accident occurred, he was operating an excavator to repair an access ramp for dewatering equipment. Near the end of the ramp, the excavator slipped approximately five meters into the water.

The emergency response team including divers had conducted search and rescue operations from the time the incident occurred until the employee was recovered from the water at about 02:25 am, on Monday, 16 October.

Doctors examined the employee and declared the employee dead and the police released the body to the family.

Mr Abdul Majid is survived by his wife and one child. The employee has worked with various contractors for Batu Hijau project for the past five years.

Mine inspectors from local, regional and national mining departments, the local police, as well as PTNNT are continuing their investigations.(end of release)