Freeport Worker Shot Dead at Grasberg Mine

A Freeport Indonesia worker was fatally shot by an unknown assailant at the Grasberg open-pit mining operation on Wednesday morning, 11 March 2026. Vice President of Corporate Communications Katri Krisnati stated that the incident occurred around 08:30 WIT in the mining operational area.

The victim, named Simson Mulia, was 48 years old and died from gunshot wounds sustained in the incident. “We extend our deepest condolences and provide support to the bereaved family,” Katri said in a written statement on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

According to Katri, the company is currently coordinating with government security authorities to address the incident. Freeport emphasised that the safety and security of all employees and personnel in the operational area remains its highest priority.

Armed shooting incidents in Freeport’s operational area have occurred previously. One notable incident took place on 30 March 2020 in the Kuala Kencana area of Timika, Papua. In that event, one worker was killed and six others wounded following an armed assault at the company’s office premises.

At that time, security authorities suspected the attack was carried out by an armed group operating in the Papua region. The shooting killed a New Zealand national employee, Greme Thomas Wall, whilst two Indonesian citizens sustained serious gunshot wounds.