"PT Freeport is mournful over the death of its worker and expressed deep condolences his family. We also hope that the other worker would be found alive and evacuated safely."Timika, Papua (ANTARA News) - A mine worker was killed while another one is still missing following an underground landslide at PT Freeport in Timika, Mimika, Papua at around 11pm Monday night.
The company spokesman, Ramdani Sirait, confirmed to ANTARA News here on Tuesday that there had been an industrial accident at the Panel 2 North DOZ underground mining area.
"Until now one worker has been declared dead and another one is still being searched by UG Mine Rescue personnel and K3 crew," he said.
Ramdani said the mining inspector of the ministry of mineral resources and energy had been called to conduct an investigation into the incident.
Due to the incident he said for the time being the DOZ mining operations had been halted for investigation purposes and clearing of landslide materials.
In general he said mining operations at PT Freeport remained normal.
"PT Freeport is mournful over the death of its worker and expressed deep condolences his family. We also hope that the other worker would be found alive and evacuated safely," he said.
ANTARA News learned the landslide occured while mining activity was underway. Landslide materials buried heavy equipment such as a loader and a rockbreaker with their two operators.
One of the victims named Obet Tatogo was found by the evacuation team at around 2.26am on Tuesday, at the cabin of the loader.
The fate of his fellow worker Hamdani is not yet known and search is still being carried out.
(T.E015/H-YH/HAJM/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
