- Istimewa
VIVAnews – The strike held by thousands of PT Freeport Indonesia employees will not only cause financial losses to the state and the company. The suspension of mining production also potentially leads to such disasters as landslides and, even worse, flash floods.
"The government took steps in coordinating with the company to anticipate potential problems from technical environmental impacts in the mining area such as landslides or flash floods," said Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Darwin Zahedy Saleh, in Jayapura, on Saturday.
The government asked the Freeport management to continue mining activities.
According to Darwin, labor problem which takes place for the time being really affects Freeport production.
"Among other things, we have assigned one of ministerial advisers and director of the Mineral and Coal Environmental Engineering to take care of mining facilities," said the minister.
Technically speaking, Director General of Mining, Thamrin Sihite, explained that the suspension of mining activities has an impact on environmental management and occupational safety in the mining area especially upstream explosion activities.
"Sudden break-off may disrupt the structure of water, which can lead to landslides or flash floods," said Thamrin.
"Even if there are reservoirs in the mining area, they will help water rise rapidly as the water system is damaged. Flash flooding downstream may as well hit the settlements. Both the government and Freeport are anticipating possible extreme cases by taking technical measures," he said.
The Energy Ministry does not only coordinate with Freeport in anticipation of technical possibilities due to the delay in mining production. "We also discuss the issue with regional consultative councils (Muspida) of Papua and some religious leaders as well," said Darwin.
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Coverage by: Banjir Ambarita | Jayapura
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