Antam may process nickel at Ukraine smelter

JSX-listed state miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk. (Antam) eyes smelters abroad, including in Ukraine to process its nickel ore in conduct following the damage to FeNi III ferronickel smelter, Bisnis Indonesia reported Friday.

 

Antam’s Development Director Darma Ambiar said in Jakarta Thursday that reaching this year output target was primary reason behind its planned move to process its nickel abroad.

 

“So far, we have studied the possibility of cooperating with Japan namely Pacific Metal Company. However, the company’s toll smelting capacity is limited and so we are trying to look for other countries,” he said.

 

He cited Ukraina as another country that the company would cooperate with besides Japan.

 

Meanwhile, Antam’s Operations Director Alwin Syah Loebis said that the toll smelting charge overseas was almost similar with that set at home. The toll smelting charge at home was around US$4.86 per pound. “The charge is almost the same. What makes the toll smelting charge at home expensive is the high cost for power,” he said.

 

Efforts are now underway by Antam to repair the damage to FeNi III ferronickel smelter in Pomala, Southeast Sulawesi. It will take at least three weeks for the company to fix the small metal leak from the furnace wall.

 

The US$320 million FeNi III, the latest of Antam’s three smelters, began commercial operations on January 29, 2007. (*)