KELASTAMBANG : PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) has confirmed the recovery of all seven workers affected by the wet material slide that occurred at its Grasberg Block Cave underground mine on September 8, 2025, following a 27-day continuous rescue operation, the company said in an official statement on Monday.
The rescue team, comprising PTFI personnel and officers from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Mimika Police, Basarnas, and BPBD, located and evacuated the remaining five workers on October 5, 2025. All were found deceased. Two others had been recovered earlier on September 20, 2025.
Medical and police identification confirmed the final five victims as Zaverius Magai, Holong Gembira Silaban, Dadang Hermanto, Balisang Telile (South Africa), and Victor Bastida Ballesteros (Chile), all employed by PT Redpath Indonesia, a PTFI contractor.
PTFI stated that the remains will be transported to Jakarta before being repatriated to their respective home countries, except for Magai, who will be buried in Kuala Kencana, Timika.
PTFI President Director Tony Wenas expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
“They were friends and part of the Freeport Indonesia family. This loss brings deep grief to all of us. On behalf of myself and the company, I extend condolences to the families who have been in Tembagapura since September 14, 2025. May God Almighty grant us all strength and fortitude,” he said.
Wenas also commended the tireless efforts of the multi-agency rescue team.
“I appreciate the Rescue Team who worked tirelessly, day and night, in very challenging conditions. The rescue took a long time because of the difficult location and the wet material volume reaching about 800,000 tons. Thank you to everyone who contributed their energy, thoughts, and prayers.”
According to the company, full support and assistance will continue to be provided to the victims’ families. All handling of remains was conducted “with full respect,” PTFI added.
The statement emphasized that a comprehensive and transparent investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“The investigation process to determine the cause of the incident will continue comprehensively and transparently. The results will form the basis for the company to implement preventive measures so that similar incidents do not occur in the future,” PTFI stated.