Unidentified gunmen killed three people on Friday near an Indonesian copper mine, the latest in a series of violent outbreaks to hit the strike-ridden facility.

Company officials and eyewitnesses say the gunmen opened fire on an access road to the Grasberg mine in eastern Papua province, killing a contract mine worker and two others.

The mine, which is operated by U.S. firm Freeport-McRoRan, has been plagued by violence since workers declared a strike calling for higher wages on September 15.

Last week, gunmen opened fire near the site of Friday's attack, killing three substitute workers.

Hundreds of striking miners have blockaded roads surrounding the facility, preventing food and supplies from reaching the operation.

Production at the mine was virtually halted earlier this week after suspected saboteurs damaged a pipeline carrying copper concentrate.

Meanwhile, talks continue between the striking miners and company officials, with workers saying they will continue their work stoppage until the company agrees to pay them at the same rates it pays its workers in other countries.

Analysts say that will be difficult for the company because of the high costs of working in the remote area, which is also home to a simmering separatist conflict.