Antam cuts 2006 ferronickel production outlook

State nickel and gold miner said on Wednesday that its 2006 production target for nickel contained in ferronickel will be lowered to around 13,000 ? 16,000 tonnes from the target of 19,000 tonnes due to troubles in its FeNi III smelter.

Antam said it had been notified by FeNi III EPC contractor that a leak from the metal tap hole of the smelter will require a shutdown for repairs lasting around three months. The metal tap hole is located at the bottom of the furnace, where molten crude ferronickel is extracted from the furnace during a ?metal tap?.

Antam operates 3 units of smelters in Pomalaa, South East Sulawesi. (alex)