AMNT?s smelter project obtains environmental approval

Gold and copper mining firm PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT) said that the environmental impact assessment (Amdal), and the environmental management plan (RKL) and environmental monitoring plan (RPL) documents for its proposed copper smelter project in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province was finally approved on Thursday by the provincial administration?s Amdal evaluation commission.

AMNT Spokesman Imron Gozali said in a statement that the company is now expecting for the issuance of the required environmental permit to allow it to proceed with construction of the smelter project, which is targeted to start operation in 2021.

The copper smelter, which will be located at AMNT?s Batu Hijau mine in NTB Province, will have capacity to refine 2 million tons per year of copper concentrates, much higher than AMNT?s current production rate of 600,000-700,000 tons per year. AMNT said it is open to refine copper concentrates produced by other mining firms.

AMNT is 82.2 percent owned by PT Amman Mineral Internasional, with the remainder held by PT Pukuafu Indah. Amman Mineral Internasional is equally owned by IDX-listed energy firm PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk and PT AP Investment.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak