Antam's new refinery method

JAKARTA (JP): Publicly listed state mining company Aneka Tambang is trying a new method of gold smelting and refining at its Logam Mulia smelter and refinery to improve efficiency, the company said.

Company operation director Harsojo Dihardjo said Tuesday the new method, called chlorination -- in which chlorine is used to separate gold from other metals, mainly silver -- would enable the facilities located in Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta, to speed up its refining process, reduce working capital and increase recovery.

He said Aneka Tambang had hired Australia's Western Australian Mint Company to consult on the application of the new method.

"The chlorination is now in the commissioning stage," Harsojo said.

Harsojo said Aneka Tambang had also hired Morgan Worldwide Mining Consultants of the United States from early this year to consult the company on the application of a world-class security system at Logam Mulia.

"People now have to follow very strict rules to enter our facilities," he said.

Logam Mulia has an annual production capacity of 60 tons of gold and 270 tons of silver. (jsk)