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)