Antam, Direct Nickel sign a deal on nickel laterite processing plant
Monday, July 22 2013 - 09:55 AM WIB
State mining firm PT Antam Tbk and Direct Nickel Limited (DNi) announced that they have signed an agreement to cooperate in the development of nickel laterite deposits and processing plants using the DNi Process in Indonesia.
The signing of agreement on July 22 is a continuation of the Heads of Agreement which was signed by Antam and DNi on May 31, 2012.
Under the agreement, Antam and DNi will continue to co-operate in DNi?s Perth Test Plant operations to produce nickel mixed hydroxide product and to share technical results from the Plant, which is currently processing a 200 ton nickel laterite sample provided by Antam.
The deal is also subject to positive results from the Test Plant, and selection of an Indonesian plant location, Antam and DNi aim to execute Definitive Agreements to develop the first nickel laterite processing plant in Indonesia using the DNi Process.
Direct Nickel CEO, Russell Debney said, ?DNI?s strategy is to roll out the revolutionary DNi Process technology in partnership with world class mining companies that have nickel resources and in-house capability to take advantage of the looming nickel supply shortfall and the world?s increasing dependency on nickel laterite ore. We are pleased to continue to build our partnership with Antam to assist in the development of the significant nickel laterite opportunities in Indonesia.?
Antam?s President Director, Tato Miraza, said, ?Antam?s cooperation with DNi promises to significantly improve the efficiency and economic of nickel laterite processing. The agreement signed today reflects our undertaking to add value to the economics of Indonesia?s vast nickel reserves and to support the Company?s sustainable growth.?
Editing by Adianto P. Simamora