BUMI?s Dairi mining will start operation in 2012

PT Dairi Prima Mineral, a subsidiary of PT Bumi Resources (BUMI), will start to develop its black tin and zinc mining in Dairi, North Sumatra, with production expected to commence in 2012.

BUMI?s Senior Vice President for Investor Relations Dileep Srivastava said that the company would receive a permit for the utilization of protection forest in Dairi from the Ministry of Forestry by the end of this year, Kontan Daily reported Friday.

BUMI owns Dairi mining block following its move to acquire 84.2 percent stake worth US$ 563 million in Herald Resources Limited through Calipso Investment Pte Ltd in mid 2008.

Currently, Calipso is conducting a tender offer of the remaining 15.8 percent in Herald Resources Limited on Australia Stck Exchange.

Dairi Prima owns three mining fields, Andjing Hitam, Basecamp and Lae Jahe. The three fields own mineral reserves of about 16.4 million tons, with proven degree of zinc and black tin 13.4 percent and 7.8 percent respectively.

Meanwhile, Kresna Graha Sekorondo?s Research Head Jordan Zulkarnaen is optimistic that the permit for Dairi project will be issued soon.(*)