September 9, 2025 | 05:04 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A landslide struck the underground Grasberg Block Cave mining site operated by Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) on Monday night, September 8, 2025, around 10:00 p.m. local time. The mining giant reported that seven workers remain trapped inside the facility.
Vice President of Corporate Communications of PTFI, Katri Krisnati, explained that a large flow of wet materials blocked access to one of its five underground production blocks. This situation hindered the evacuation process of seven workers.
"The location of the trapped workers has been identified, and they are believed to be in a safe condition. Our team is currently working to open the access for a prompt and safe evacuation," Katri said in a written statement on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
According to Katri, aside from clearing the route, Freeport is ensuring that the workers' needs are met while awaiting evacuation. For the time being, mining operations have been halted to prioritize rescue efforts.
Katri added that mining activities in the Grasberg Block Cave are generally done with remotely controlled equipment. But the material flow blocked the access route where the workers were conducting mining development activities. "All other workers have been confirmed to be in safe condition," she said.
The landslide was not the first to strike a Freeport mining site. According to a previous Tempo report, another landslide occurred on May 14, 2013, which claimed the lives of 28 workers out of 34 trapped. Two weeks later, on May 31, 2013, another worker experienced an accident after being hit by mud material and had to be taken to the hospital.
Thajono EP contributed to the writing of this article.
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