Freeport Employee Shot Dead at Grasberg Mine Site
A Freeport Indonesia employee was reported dead after being shot by an unidentified gunman at the abandoned Grasberg open-pit mining area in Tembagapura, Mimika, Central Papua. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at approximately 08:30 Western Indonesia Time.
The Tembagapura Police Sector Commander, Deputy Police Commissioner Firman, identified the victim as Simson Mulia, aged 48 years. At the time of the incident, the victim and his colleague, Abraham Marindal, were travelling in an LWB vehicle to inspect their work area at the abandoned Grasberg mining site.
“The report we received indicated they were travelling to conduct an inspection of their work area,” Firman explained.
Mulia sustained a gunshot wound that entered his right ear and exited through his left ear. Abraham immediately jumped out of the vehicle upon hearing the gunshot and seeing his colleague covered in blood, suffering minor cuts to his palms. The victim’s body was transported to AEA Hospital Tembagapura for medical procedures.
Following the incident, the head of the Amole Task Force responsible for PT Freeport Indonesia security, Deputy Police Commissioner Besar Yendri, immediately dispatched personnel to the abandoned Grasberg mining site. “Task Force members are currently at Grasberg under direct command of the Task Force Commander. Additionally, patrol and criminal investigation units from Tembagapura Police Sector are also on-site,” Firman stated.
He was unable to confirm which group the perpetrators belong to. “Initial indications suggest unknown assailants, but we have not yet confirmed the perpetrators,” Firman said.
Following the incident, security at Freeport’s mining operations has been significantly increased across both lowland and highland areas, including the Amamapare Portsite, Mozes Kilangin Airport in Timika, Kuala Kencana, Tembagapura, and Grasberg.
In February, a TNI member was also killed by gunfire from an armed criminal group at Mile 50, Tembagapura District, whilst travelling from Timika to Tembagapura. During that incident, three firearms were seized by the separatist KKB group.
PT Freeport Indonesia Vice President for Corporate Communications Katri Krisnati confirmed the shooting at the Grasberg mining area. “The entire Freeport family deeply mourns the loss of our colleague Simson Mulia, aged 48 years, who died in this incident. We extend our deepest condolences and provide support to his bereaved family,” she stated in a written statement.
PT Freeport stated that it continues to coordinate with government security officials regarding the matter. “The safety and security of all our employees and all parties in our operational areas remain our highest priority.”