Lusang's gold output drops

Lusang's gold output drops

JAKARTA (JP): PT Lusang Mining, which holds a gold mining concession in a 4,600-hectare area in Lebong Tandai of Bengkulu, recorded a drop in its gold output to 350 kilograms (kg) in 1994 from 420 kg in 1993.

"Production is estimated to continue declining to less than 300 kg this year as a result of the natural depletion of gold reserves in the mining area," the head of Lusang Mining's personnel division, Albet, told Antara in Bengkulu on Wednesday.

He said the mine's silver production also declined to 1,500 kg last year from 1,800 kg in 1993. "This year, the company will be only able to produce 480 kg of silver," he added.

The mining concession, which was previously managed by an Indonesian-Australian consortium, is now managed by a group of local companies employing 500 permanent miners and hundreds of part-timer workers. (fhp)