Antam, Chinese partner conduct BFS on W. Kalimantan alumina project

IDX-listed miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk and its Chinese partner Hangzou Jinjiang Group are conducting Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) on smelter-grade alumina project in Mempawah, West Kalimantan.

Antam CEO Alwinsyah Loebis told Petromindo.com last week that the BFS was started three months ago will be completed in January or February next year.

According to Loebis, if proven feasible, the project may start construction in 2013 with investment of around US$800 million.

The plant would produce 1 million tones of smelter-grade alumina per annum with washed bauxite as raw material.

Loebis said JV agreement with Hangzhou has yet been signed by he signaled that Antam may offer Hangzhou 55% percent state in the project with Antam taking the remaining balance.

Antam is also currently planning to build 300,000-TPA chemical-grade alumina in Tayan, also located in West Kalimantan together with partner Marubeni and Showa Denko.

?Antam is prioritizing development of Tayan project,? Loebis said.(bernard/denny)