Rescue underway after mudflow traps 7 at Freeport's Grasberg mine

Timika, Central Papua (ANTARA) - An operation is underway to rescue seven miners trapped at an underground mine after a mudflow incident at Freeport Indonesia's Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) site in Central Papua on Monday (Sept 8) evening.

According to Mimika's Tembagapura Sub-district Police Chief, First Inspector Firman, the seven miners are safe, and communication via radio can be maintained. However, the rescue teams are still not able to reach them.

"The Freeport management continues with their rescue attempts. According to reports, the trapped workers are safe. However, we are concerned about the oxygen availability; we hope they have a backup supply inside," Firman told ANTARA on Wednesday.

As depicted in videos circulating on social media, the mud and debris flowed into the underground mine tunnels and blocked access to the outside. "It flowed like a flash flood," he remarked.

According to the police chief, the presence of top government officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, is still awaited to monitor the rescue operation.

Earlier, VP Corporate Communications of Freeport Indonesia, Katri Krisnati, stated that the company has suspended underground mining operations at the Grasberg site to prioritize clearing the mudflow debris and evacuating the seven miners trapped inside.

She confirmed that the location of the seven miners is known, and they are all in safe condition. All other workers remain safe amid the incident, she added.

"The crews are working to clear the access to ensure safe and prompt evacuation," according to Krisnati.

Meanwhile, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated on Tuesday, that the ministry will dispatch a team to monitor the incident at the Freeport Indonesia facility.

The National SAR Agency (Basarnas) has also alerted its officers to stand by in case their assistance is needed for the evacuation at the mining site.

However, Basarnas official Noer Isrudin said that as the GBC site is classified as a restricted area, the emergency response at the site will be the full responsibility of the Freeport company.