Kingsrose unit to commence limited activities at Talang Santo mine

By Peni Pedriawan

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has allowed PT Natarang Mining (PTNM) to commence limited development mining activities at Talang Santo mine in South Sumatra, subject to a site visit by the ministry.

?The development work, which includes construction of an underground water sump and pumping station, is expected to take up to six weeks to complete,? said Australia-listed mining company Kingsrose Mining Ltd, which owns 85 percent of PTNM.

The green light given to PTNM to commence limited mining activities came following discussions between the company and ministry officials on the results of investigation into fatality at the Talang Santo mine in September. Talang Santo is the second mine being developed at the Way Linggo Project in South Sumatra, Indonesia.

?The company will provide a more definitive update to the market as soon as the ramifications to timing and production are understood and will include further detail on the measures required to be undertaken,? Kingsrose said in a statement received on Wednesday..

In the meantime, mining activities at the Way Linggo mine continue at similar production levels as the previous quarter, the company said.

As a result of the delays to the resumption of mining at Talang Santo, Kingsrose believes that total production at the Way Linggo Project (Way Linggo mine plus Talang Santo mine) this financial year will be materially lower than the 30-35,0000z gold equivalent previously forecast

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak