Freeport Indonesia gold mine resumes operations after tunnel accident that killed 28 workers

PT Freeport Indonesia has resumed mining operations at the giant U.S.-owned gold and copper mine where a tunnel collapse killed 28 workers two weeks ago.

A company statement issued late Wednesday said activities have restarted gradually since Tuesday. Inspectors from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources have completed their initial investigation and made recommendations to the mine.

The roof of a tunnel inside the Big Gossan facility collapsed May 14 while workers were undergoing safety training in an underground classroom. Ten were rescued.

Operations at the Grasberg mine, owned by Phoenix, Arizona-based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., were suspended to respect the victims and recover their bodies.

More than 20,000 workers are employed at the mine in the resource-rich but impoverished area in Papua province.