Antam clarifies exploration activities in western Flores

State owned nickel and gold miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) denies media reports that it conducts gold exploration activities in protected forest in West Manggarai Regency, western part of Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara province.

The company said its mining activities in Waning village, West Manggarai, is still in exploration stage, aiming at finding gold reserves. It said it has received exploration mining permit (IUP) from West Manggarai Regency government (No. 4300/2013/PAT)/2009), which will expire on 17 December 2011.

?Antam has submitted a proposal to the West Manggarai Regency head to extend the exploration permit,? the company said in a public disclosure today. Aneka Tambang is now waiting for approval from the local government.

?The exploration permit covers small part of a protected forest, however, Antam has never conducted exploration activities in the protected forest,? it said.

The exploration activities that have been undertaken including conducting drilling six wells in a farming or agriculture area. Prior to the drilling, Aneka Tambang has obtained permit from the land owner and provide compensation in accordance with applicable regulation. The wells are located outside the protected forest area.

It said it has conducted reclamation on exploratory wells therefore there was no environmental damage following the drilling activities. (romel/roffie)