Antam's Pongkor Gold Production Said to Last Only Until 2030
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The mining industry state-owned holding MIND ID has revealed the critical condition of gold reserves managed by PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM). The operational lifespan of Antam’s main gold mine in Pongkor, Bogor, can only last until 2030.
MIND ID’s President Director Maroef Sjamsoeddin explained that ANTAM is currently heavily reliant on a single gold mining location in Pongkor, Bogor. He stated that the company’s management of gold commodities is in a worrying stage due to the limited available legal reserves.
“Antam alone, sir. Up to now, its strength is already at its last breath, sir. Because it only relies on the legal ones, only Pongkor in Bogor. And that can only last until 2030 if possible,” he said during a Hearing with Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta, quoted on Tuesday (14/4/2026).
The underground mining operations in Pongkor are currently hampered by land regulation issues involving the regional government. Maroef mentioned that there has been a change in the forest area status at the location, which hinders the company’s efforts to extend the mine’s operational period.
“There is a regulatory obstacle related to the West Java Regional Government. There is a change in forest area status. Previously it was not a forest area, then it changed again to a forest area. This is one of the things we request assistance from the honourable members to help extend Antam’s breath, especially in Pongkor,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Antam is actively seeking new gold reserve sources, including exploring opportunities abroad. This follows the thinning gold reserves in the Gold Mining Business Unit (UBPE) Pongkor.
Previously, Antam’s President Director Untung Budiharto disclosed that gold production from UBPE Pongkor is currently below 1 tonne per year, even only around 450 kilograms (kg) per year.
“We are currently only able to produce below 1 tonne, sir, even 450 kg per year, sir, so this is very minimal and the only gold mine owned by Antam is Pongkor, sir,” Untung revealed during a Hearing with Commission VI of the DPR RI recently.
Therefore, to meet production needs, Antam has so far relied on various sources. From buyback programmes, purchases from domestic factories, to imports from abroad if there is a supply shortage.
On the other hand, the company has also been assigned to conduct exploration for new reserve sources domestically. This activity will begin with social studies in several regions, including East Java.
“However, the time cannot be quick, sir. If I ask, it takes 5 years before it can be mined, sir, to obtain the reserves and resources there,” he said.
In addition to domestic exploration activities, Antam is also preparing several other strategies to strengthen gold reserves. One of them is exploring expansion opportunities abroad, including in Saudi Arabia.
“And exploring foreign opportunities that we are currently doing in Saudi Arabia. This strategy is designed to balance the optimisation of existing assets with opening new growth opportunities,” Untung stated.