Two Indonesian workers were shot dead Monday near a US run gold and copper mine in the restive province of Papua.

Military commander Major General Erfi Triassunu said that the victims were employees of a firm contracted by the Indonesian unit of Phoenix based Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold Inc.

He told dpa by telephone that “We're chasing perpetrators but we still don't know who they are.”

Papua, one of the country's poorest provinces despite its abundant natural resources, is the scene of a low level separatist insurgency.

The area around the mine has been a frequent target of attacks largely blamed by authorities on separatist rebels fighting for independence for the mainly Melanesian region since the 1960s.

At least 10 people were killed in attacks in the area last year.

(Sourced from www.monstersandcritics.com)