Death stops mine work

 By DOROTHY MARK

RAMU NiCo Project production has been temporarily shut down at the Basamuk Refinery following the death of a Chinese employee and injury to two locals.

While investigations into the cause of the incident that resulted in death and injuries continue, Ramu NiCo management confirmed that the two injured were recovering at the Modilon Hospital.

It said an incident occurred at the refinery processing plant. The injured were taken by helicopter.

“Our emergency response team with medical officers tried to resuscitate the Chinese employee but he sadly passed,” the management said in a statement late yesterday.

“The national employees are recovering and their situation is stable.”

The incident occurred at about  7.50am yesterday during normal operation of the processing plant. 

“We are so sad that we have lost one of our employees. We are in the process of informing his family members,” the management said.

The incident has been reported to Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) and the incident scene had been barricaded for investigation.

“We have secured the area to ensure no further injury to our employees. We also advice family members and relatives that all employees are safe.”

Although the management wished not to mention what actually happened, sources at the refinery said there was a blast inside the plant yard and instantly killed the Chinese employee and injured two nationals.