JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS— Amman Mineral Smelter Expected to Begin Production in Q4 2024. PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT) or AMNT Inc, was founded in 2016. It was established after PT Amman Mineral Internasional acquired the Batu Hijau mine from Newmont Mining Corporation and its local partner, PT Multi Daerah Bersaing. The acquisition included all shares of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara, which was later renamed PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara.

The mining area owned by PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT) in West Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province (NTB) is gearing up for a significant milestone. PT Amman Mineral Internasional Tbk (AMMN), through its subsidiary PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT), is anticipated to start producing copper cathodes by the fourth quarter of 2024.

Currently, the company is completing the commissioning process for its copper smelter in West Sumbawa Regency, NTB. As of May 31, 2024, the project, designated as a National Strategic Project (PSN), has achieved 95.5% completion.

In an official statement in Jakarta on Saturday, AMNT President Director Rachmat Makkasau explained that the smelter is designed with an installed input capacity of 900,000 tons of concentrate per year (ktpa).

“In addition, the smelter will produce 222,000 tons of copper cathodes per year (tpa), along with sulfuric acid, gold bars, silver bars, and selenium,” Rachmat stated.

He further elaborated that the physical construction and mechanical completion are finished, with only 5% of the smelter’s progress remaining, which involves the ongoing commissioning phase.

“The commissioning process, which began in early June 2024, is scheduled to last for five months,” Rachmat added.

During this period, various stages of equipment and infrastructure testing will be conducted to ensure all systems operate optimally before commencing commercial production.

“One of the stages in this commissioning process is the introduction of copper concentrate as smelter feed. Meanwhile, the first production of copper cathodes from the smelter is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024,” Rachmat noted.

In 2023, AMNT contributed 82% to the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of West Sumbawa Regency.

To undertake the construction of this smelter, AMNT collaborates with international contractors, including China Non-ferrous Metal Industry’s Foreign Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd (NFC) and PT Pengembangan Industri Logam (PT PIL).

“We hope this project will become one of the fastest-built double-flash smelting facilities outside China,” Rachmat remarked.

The company has obtained the National Vital Object Security Management System (SMP Obvitnas) certification from the National Police Headquarters, with a Gold category and a compliance score of 90.44%. This certification is based on Presidential Decree No. 63 of 2004 and Indonesian National Police Regulation No. 7 of 2019, which regulate the security of national vital objects.

Rachmat emphasized that this certification underscores the company’s commitment to implementing best practices in security management.

“This achievement is also a strategic step in eliminating potential threats and disturbances, as well as systematically enhancing operational security,” Rachmat said.

Additionally, the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Technical Work Guidelines for National Vital Object Security Services with the West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police to bolster security and supervision during the smelter’s construction. This step aligns with the company’s efforts to strengthen its newly certified security management system. (Uki Ruknuddin)