Indonesia has confirmed that all seven workers trapped by a wet-material slide on September 8 at its Grasberg Block Cave underground mine in Central Papua have been found dead, ending a 27-day recovery effort.

The disaster took place in Mimika Regency, where some 800,000 metric tons of wet material breached mine workings and blocked escape routes.

Two of the victims had been recovered earlier on September 20, and the final five were found over the weekend, according to Freeport.

Freeport acknowledged that rescue operations were extremely difficult due to the complex underground layout and the massive volume of debris.

Since the slide, mining operations at Grasberg have been halted, with Freeport declaring force majeure over the site, and warning of reduced copper and gold output.

The company has flagged lower consolidated production and sales in the third quarter, citing the disaster’s impact.

This suspension comes at a sensitive time—negotiations continue between Freeport and the Indonesian government regarding a stake divestment and the extension of the mine’s operating rights beyond 2041.

Analysts now expect full operational recovery and productivity normalization to take years.

In a statement, Tony Wenas, President Director of PT Freeport Indonesia, expressed deep sorrow to the families of the victims, and praised the perseverance of the rescue teams. The company pledged full support and respectful handling of remains.

The firm says it is cooperating with Indonesian authorities and has launched an investigation aimed at uncovering root causes and preventing future incidents.

The Grasberg mine is among the world’s largest copper and gold mines, and has previously faced accidents linked to structural stress, water intrusion, and safety oversights.

This latest incident underscores the risks inherent in deep underground mining combined with heavy material flows.

While the investigation is still in its early stages, observers and local communities are likely to demand transparency, accountability, and stricter safety protocols — especially given the role of the mine in local economic and environmental landscapes. (ILKHA)