4 Killed, 23 Still Trapped in Freeport Mine Tunnel Collapse

TEMBAGAPURA (MIMIKA) -  Four mine workers have been confirmed dead and 23 are still trapped underground after a tunnel collapsed Tuesday near PT Freeport Indonesia's massive Grasberg copper-gold mine in eastern Indonesia, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry said Wednesday, in what could be the worst disaster in Indonesia's modern mining history.

The ministry said in a release that 40 workers were trapped when the roofing of an underground training facility collapsed around 7.30 a.m, adding that thirteen have been evacuated and are safe.

The company, a subsidiary of Arizona-based Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX), is halting underground mining activities.

Freeport Indonesia said it doesn't expect the event to have a material effect on mining and milling operations or development activities. [DowJones | Kompas]