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Freeport workers block access to Tembagapura
Workers from US-based mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia (FI) have again blockaded road access to the mine site in Tembagapura in Mimika regency, Papua, urging the companyâs management to take responsibility for workplace accidents occurring in the countryâs biggest mine
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orkers from US-based mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia (FI) have again blockaded road access to the mine site in Tembagapura in Mimika regency, Papua, urging the company's management to take responsibility for workplace accidents occurring in the country's biggest mine.
The workers were reported to have installed a blue tent to blockade road access at check point 72, preventing mining vehicles from accessing the mining area. 'The blue tent is placed right in the middle of the road at check point 72, after the Ridge Camp, so that no vehicle can enter the mining areas or leave,' Cornelius, a PT FI worker, told The Jakarta Post in Tembagapura on Wednesday.
The workers have expressed their demands on a banner installed near the tent. '4 people in Wanagon, 8 people in Boton Ore, 28 people in an underground mining site, and 4 people in Grassberg, there must be someone responsible for those who died in all of these accidents,' is written on the banner.
In May 2013, PT FI workers blockaded road access and installed a tent on the road accessing the mining site following a landslide which killed 28 workers in an underground mining site at Big Gossan. Ten workers survived the Big Gossan incident.
The Freeport branch of the Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI) spokesperson, Juli Parrorongan, said the workers also urged PT FI management to pay closer attention to their work safety as workplace incidents had continued to occur. In September, two accidents left five Freeport workers dead.
Papua Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw confirmed in Jayapura that the blockading of road access at Ridge Camp 72 occurred at 2:15 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
'The situation around the PT FI mining areas remains conducive despite the blockade,' said Warauw.
He went on to say that the police continued to provide security and facilitate dialogue between PT FI management and the protesters.
PT FI spokesperson Daisy Primayanti said in a press release that the company regretted the blockade as Wednesday was the first day for workers to return to work and attend a string of safety briefings.
'Currently, PT FI management is carrying out a dialogue with its workers to find out the core problems and their solutions,' said Daisy.
The Papua Police are investigating the accident in Grassberg that left four workers dead on Sept.27.
'The investigation is underway to determine whether the company was careless in the incident, we will bring the case to justice,' said Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Yotje Mende. (ebf)(++++)
