Mimika, Papua. Rescue operations entered their 17th day on Thursday at Freeport Indonesia’s (PTFI) Grasberg Block Cave underground mine in Mimika, Central Papua, where five workers remain trapped following a deadly mudslide incident.

Freeport’s Vice President for Corporate Communications, Katri Krisnati, said the company’s Underground Mining Response (UGMR) team has been working around the clock under extremely challenging conditions.

“The search for our five colleagues who have not yet been found is still ongoing,” Katri said in a statement. “The team is facing the high risks of shifting wet material but continues to make every effort.”

Rescue crews are digging from two separate access points and installing additional infrastructure as operations move deeper into the mine with limited air supply. Remote-controlled heavy equipment, including loaders, is being deployed to reduce risks to rescuers.

Freeport urged the public to keep the workers and rescue teams in their thoughts. “We ask everyone to continue praying and giving moral support so the five workers can be found soon,” Katri added.

The incident, which occurred on Sept.8, has already claimed two lives. On Sept. 20, rescuers recovered the bodies of two electrical workers from contractor  Cita Contract, identified as Wigih Hartono and Irawan, who have since been laid to rest in their hometowns.

Mimika Regent Johannes Rettob expressed his condolences on behalf of the local government and community, praising Freeport’s decision to suspend all mining operations to prioritize the search-and-rescue mission..

The five workers still missing are employees of contractor Redpath Indonesia: Victor Manuel Bastida Ballesteros of Chile, Holong Gembira Silaban, Dadang Hermanto, Zaverius Magai, and Balisang Telile.  Reports indicate that Ballesteros is a Chilean national, while Telile is believed to be from South Africa.

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