BTM to develop gold mine

BTM to develop gold mine

JAKARTA (JP): An Indonesian company and an Australian investor
have set up a consortium called PT Barisan Tropical Mining (BTM)
to develop a gold mine in Musi Rawas, South Sumatra.

"The mining development will start next year," Musi Rawas
Regent Radjab Semendawi was quoted by Antara as saying in Musi
Rawas yesterday.

He did not identify the Indonesian company or the Australian
investor.

According to Radjab, the Australian investor agreed to invest
US$35 million for the gold mining development at the Suka Menang
village.

"A survey, which has been conducted over the past eight years,
has proven that the Suka Menang mining area contains a large
reserve of gold," he said without going into further detail.

He said that to support the mining development, the Musi Rawas
administration will improve the quality of the 13 kilometer road
leading to the mining area. (13)