Antam boosts silver quality

JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed state mining company PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) announced on Tuesday its refinery unit PT Logam Mulia was able to produce high-quality silver suitable for use in high-technology devices, including microchips.

Antam said in a statement that Logam Mulia, the country's sole precious metal refinery, now produced sliver granules which had a purity level of 99.99 percent.

It said the production of the high-quality silver was part of its efforts to improve its quality levels to world-class standards and to focus on increasing the export of its products.

"Production of the higher quality silver began this year and coincides with a transaction agreement with a South Korean company for the purchase of 2.5 tons per month, or 22 percent of total production, of the fine silver with a possible increase to 12 tons per month," the company said.

The company said it planned to have its silver officially accredited by the London Bullion Market Association to guarantee its acceptance by the international market. (jsk)