Worker, illegal miners killed in Antam?s Pongkor gold mine
Wednesday, March 3 2004 - 01:44 PM WIB
One worker of JSX-listed state miner PT. Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) was killed in an incident at its gold mine in Pongkor, West Java and injuring six other workers. The incident also killed at least two illegal miners that were operating in the company?s mining site.
Antam?s corporate secretary Dohar Siregar told Petromindo.Com the Wednesday morning accident happened after smoke from used tires the illegal miners burned entered the underground holes and poisoning the workers inside.
Dohar said that mining activities in Pongkor was unaffected by the incident as Antam had already put the fire off and used fans to suck the smoke.
Antam?s Pongkor gold mine had been infected by illegal miners for years, the miners used traditional mining methods by digging holes to reach gold vein.
Pongkor produces some 4,000 kilograms of gold annually. (godang)