AMNT mulls higher capacity of copper smelter

Gold and copper mining firm PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT) is considering to expand the input capacity of its copper smelter project to 2.6 million tons per annum from the initial plan of 1-2 mtpa taking into account domestic copper concentrates production potential, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Thursday.

The paper quoted AMNT President Director Rachmat Makkasau as saying that the company is expected to make final decision soon regarding the capacity of the smelter project, located at the company?s Batu Hijau mine site in West Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara Province.

?We?re currently (planning) input capacity design of 2-2.6 million tons per annum of concentrates. We?re taking into account the potential concentrates (output),? he said.

AMNT through subsidiary PT Amman Mineral Industri is planning to develop the copper smelter project as part of conditions required by the government in return for permit to resume export of copper concentrates for another five years.

Rachmat said that although the company?s copper smelter project will have greater capacity than PT Freeport?s estimated US$2.2 billion copper smelter with capacity of 2 mtpa, it will cost less as the infrastructure facilities at the Batu Hijai mine has been well-developed. He did not disclose the required investment for the project. (*)