Timah says rare earth plant at commissioning stage

By Thomas Sembiring

IDX-listed tin giant PT Timah Tbk said that its rare earth hydroxide mini plant project in Tanjng Ular Mentok, West Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Province, is currently at the commissioning stage.

?We?re currently at the commissioning stage, and continue to perfect the process and the product,? Timah Corporate Secretary Agung Nugroho told Petromindo.com last week.

Agung said that the company hopes the plant to start production in August as scheduled.

As has been previously reported, the mini plant is designed to have production capacity of 50 kg per day. The plant processes monazite, a by-product of tin production, into high value rare earth metals used as raw material in the production of high-tech manufacturing products such as magnets for hybrid cars, TVs, and smartphones. The mini plant is a stepping stone for Timah to build greater-capacity plant in the future.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak