Freeport-McMoRan’s Grasberg gold and copper mine workers continued to protest for the second consecutive day by blocking access to the world’s second-largest copper mine located at Papua in Indonesia.
The demonstration began on Monday against the company’s lockdown policy of halting bus services due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Over 1,000 workers joined the protest on Tuesday, as per local media reports.
The company had reduced the number of employees and imposed travel restrictions in May following a spike in COVID-19 cases in the region. Unable to meet their families, the angered mine workers took to the roads. T
The company spokesman said they have responded to the protestors’ demands immediately and are evaluating the situation. Safety protocols and health will be taken into consideration before any decision, he added.
The company is transitioning from open-pit mining operation to all-underground mining and is expected to produce 110,000 mt/day of copper this year.