Tender of mining areas likely to be delayed

Petromindo|Thomas

The government?s plan to hold tender for mining areas in a number of regions this year is likely to be delayed into next years as tender preparations have yet to be completed.

Director General of Mineral and Coal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bambang Gatot Ariyono said on Tuesday that the ministry is currently preparing the tender mechanism and team. ?It (the tender) is not certain this year. We?ll see,? he told reporters.

The government plans to offer this year several mining areas in Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Nusa Tenggara, Bali, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua to investors with priority given to state-owned and local administration-owned companies.

The mining areas to be offered include the former mining areas of IDX-listed integrated nickel mining firm PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, which following the amendment of its mining contract of work in 2014 agreed to reduce its concessions and return part of back to the government. The former Vale mining areas to be offered via tender total around 30,309 hectares.

The government also plans to offer the former tin mining areas of PT Koba Tin in Bangka Belitung Province. (*)