Indonesian police have reportedly arrested 12 miners and 17 citizens after a road blockade at the Freeport mine in Papua province.
Freeport's Grasberg mine in Papua, Indonesia. Photo: AFP
Sriwijaya Post reports the Mimika Police Chief, Mujiharso Yustanto, as saying members of seven ethnic groups blockaded the key mining road at mile 72, Tembagapura.
The workers, who are mostly from mine maintenance contractor led by Arnold Beanal, are reportedly in custody at Mimika Police station.
Their road blockade is being linked to recent industrial action over which they are requesting Freeport go to arbitration.
According to Commander Yustanto, the workers and fellow protestors refused to open the mine road and threatened to shut down the company if their demands were not met within one month.
Mine operations have returned to normal after the brief disruption.
