Fresh attack on Grasberg convoy

Production and Markets

Publishing Date: 28 Jan 2010 3:26pm GMT
Author: Mining Journal

Another round of attacks on a Grasberg convoy has been confirmed by the Papua, Indonesia mine’s owners, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.

“Early on January 24, shots were fired at a security-escorted convoy of five vehicles on the PT-FI road around Mile Post 60 in the highlands,” said the company in a statement.

Nine people were injured in the latest attack, including three who required hospitalisation, although it was for injuries described as non-life threatening by the company.

Freeport says that following a full security assessment, and no further incidents, security-escorted convoys of passengers and logistical materials resumed the following day.

While there was no impact on operations, the company said: “…of course we are very concerned because the safety of our employees is our highest priority.”

In the middle of 2009, a similar attack resulted in the death of three employees. The mine has been a frequent target for attacks, including three explosions in the area during September 2008.