The airport reopened, but many shops remained closed Saturday in Timika following riots that killed three people at a U.S.-owned copper mine.
The Freeport Indonesia mine, one of the world's largest copper-and gold-mining operations, dominates the economy in Irian Jaya, the Indonesian province that is the western half of the island of New Guinea.About 3,000 people from villages around the mine attacked homes, shops, buildings and vehicles in protests that started Sunday and culminated in rioting Tuesday that killed three and injured at least 15.
The cause of the turmoil and the extent of property damage were not clear. The original outburst apparently was prompted by a car accident near the mine that was incorrectly reported to have killed a villager.
About 2,000 army reinforcements were rushed to the area Thursday, and on Saturday the airport reopened.
A short distance away, a group of Freeport workers, under the watch of dozens of troops, was trying to retrieve a tractor from swampy land where it had been dumped during the violence.
"We would not dare to work and do this if the soldiers were not here to protect us," said one worker, Daeng.
During the riots, numerous company vehicles were damaged. Daeng said a tractor was still in the hands of villagers. "We are afraid to retrieve it," he said.
In the marketplace, several shops were badly damaged and most shops were still closed. "Those that are opened, only opened their doors a little," said a taxi driver.
On Thursday, community leaders and the military met with James Moffett, chairman of the New Orleans-based U.S. Freeport-McMoran Copper and Gold Inc., which has an 82 percent stake in Freeport Indonesia.
Greg Probst, spokesman for Freeport in New Orleans, said the shutdown of the mine had no financial impact on the company.
A reporter for an Indonesian newspaper said community leaders demanded improved economic and social conditions for indigenous people, more jobs and respect for local customs.