Antam sees higher ferronickel output next year

By Thomas Sembiring

Petromindo|Lucky

IDX-listed mining firm PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) expects higher ferronickel production next year with the expected completion of Pomalaa ferronickel plant expansion in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province, at the end of this year.

Antam Operation Director Agus Zamzam said recently that while the company has yet to finalize the 2017 work plan and budget, it estimated ferronickel output next year could reach 24,000 tons of contained nickel in ferronickel (TNi).

?The work plan and budget has yet to be finalized, pending approval. But it (ferronickel output) could reach 24,000 TNi,? he said, adding that the company?s total ferronickel production would be gradually increased to around 27,000 TNi.

Antam in the first nine months of this year reported ferronickel output of 14,393 TNi, up 12 percent compared to the corresponding period of last year. The firm said previously that the expansion of the Pomalaa ferronickel plant will expand the company?s production capacity to 27,000-30,000 TNi from 18,000-20,000 TNi.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak