Mineral production expected to be lower than target

Production of the country?s key mineral commodities this year is expected to be lower than target amid the current global mining downturn, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Wednesday.

The paper, quoting data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said that output of mineral commodities such as gold, tin, and silver are expected to be lower than target, following weaker production performance in the first nine months of this year. Meanwhile, copper concentrates and processed nickel production is expected to rise.

Gold output in the nine months ending September of this year reached 46.2 tons, and full-year output is estimated at 61.2 tons, or 17.87 percent lower than the 75 tons target. Last year, gold output reached 69.36 tons.

Silver output as per end September reached 142.6 tons, and full-year output is expected at 190.2 tons, or 17.66 percent lower than the 231 tons target. Last year, output reached 226.99 tons.

Timah suffered a sharp drop in output, which reached 24,759 tons, and full-year output estimated at 33,000 tons, or a 30.91 percent drop from the 50,000 tons target. Last year, output was 71,151 tons.

Director General of Mineral and Coal Bambang Gatot Ariyono said that the lower production was a result of weak international demand amid global economic slowdown and falling prices. (*)