By Rochimawati
PAPUA, Indonesia
Open pit mining was suspended Sunday at one of the world's biggest copper and gold mines after four people died and five others were injured in a vehicle collision.
PT Freeport Indonesia said in a statement that it was suspending activities at Grasberg open pit on the Indonesian island of New Guinea while an investigation into the deaths was conducted.
"The accident occurred in the Grasberg open pit. After the incident occurred, the emergency response team Grasberg Mine Rescue immediately deployed to provide relief and evacuation process," said Daisy Primayanti, the company's vice president of corporate communications.
The men died when the truck they were in was involved in a collision.
An investigation has been opened into the four deaths, while five others remain under treatment in a hospital in a nearby urban village built to support the mine.
"Safety is our top priority. Therefore, activity in the Grasberg open pit is currently paused for consolidation activities and the process of investigation," she added.
According to industry website mining technology.com, the Grasberg mine - which employs around 20,000 people - has the world's single largest known gold reserve and the second largest copper reserves.
In May, production was suspended after 28 workers died when a tunnel collapsed at the mine's underground training facility.
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