Timika, Papua. Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) is deploying all available resources to rescue seven workers trapped underground at its Grasberg Block Cave (GBC) mine in Papua following a massive mudslide earlier this week, the company’s top executive said Friday.

Freeport Indonesia President Director Tony Wenas said he and senior management are on site in Tembagapura, Central Papua, to oversee and support the rescue operation. The incident occurred late Monday, when a large volume of wet ore material collapsed inside the underground mining area, blocking evacuation routes.

“Our focus is entirely on rescuing the seven employees and ensuring the safety of everyone in the work area. All of our energy and resources are concentrated on this effort,” Wenas said in a video statement.

Emergency teams are working around the clock to reach the workers, using heavy machinery, drilling equipment, and drones. Rescue efforts, however, have been hampered by unstable wet ore material that continues to shift and complicate access.

PTFI is coordinating closely with the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, state mining holding company MIND ID, and Freeport-McMoRan, its US-based parent company.

“The volume of material that slid was far greater than we initially estimated, requiring extra handling and more time,” Wenas said. “There is still movement in the wet ore mass.”

Operations at all underground mining sites have been suspended as the company focuses on evacuation and recovery efforts. Families of the trapped workers are being brought to the site to receive firsthand updates.

Freeport released the names of the seven trapped workers: Irwan, Wigih Hartono, Victor Manuel Bastida Ballesteros, Holong Gembira Silaban, Dadang Hermanto, Zaverius Magai, and Balisang Telile

Local reports from Timika suggest that two of the trapped workers are foreign nationals from Chile and Africa.

Wenas called for public support, saying, “We ask for prayers from all communities so that these rescue efforts succeed.”

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