Antam completes Banten?s gold prospect drillings

State miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, said Wednesday its drilling program for Gudang Handak gold prospect in Banten was completed in the third quarter of the year after a total of 11,800m from 56 drill holes.

Gudang Handak is a hydrothermal vein system located within the Pongkor gold mine.

The company expected mining would begin in several years time.

As that time approaches further drilling will occur to consider the economic viability of mining the area.

The company said total indicated mineral resources as at September 30, was 331,000 ounces gold equivalent.

Other potential prospects within the Pongkor area would be explored in the coming quarters, so as to maximize the mine life, said the company.

Meanwhile, the company said it would begin test drilling activities in Mt. Liman gold prospect in East Java in the fourth quarter of the year.

It also said would continue detailed surface geological mapping and would conduct test drilling in Petung Kriono gold prospect in Central Java in the fourth quarter of the year. (alex)