Antam projects 10% rise in Pongkor gold output

JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed gold and nickel company PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) predicts this year's gold output from its mine in Pongkor, West Java, will rise about 10 percent.

Antam president Deddy Aditya Sumanagara said on Wednesday the production increase from about 2,900 kilograms last year would be possible largely due to better security measures against illegal mining at the site.

"There will definitely be a rise in our gold production, although the situation is not entirely secure yet," Deddy said.

Traditional miners from Bogor and Lebak have descended on Pongkor and mined for gold without the company's permission for many years. Many have died in accidents at the site.

"I am confident that the government will soon find ways to stop the illegal mining activities," Deddy said after a hearing with House of Representatives Commission VIII on energy and mining.

He said the government should stop the illegal activities to avoid further environmental damage and to assure mining investors of the supremacy of the law.

Deddy said Antam's nickel production would increase from 5 percent to 10 percent from last year's 9,221 metric tons. (03)