Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Ir. Arifin Tasrif made a working visit to the Batu Hijau Site, West Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province on Friday (17/9). During this visit, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources reviewed the development of AMMAN’s smelter project, accompanied by the Director of Engineering and Environment for Mineral and Coal, the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dr. Lana Saria, S.Si., M.Sc. and the Governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, Dr. Zulkieflimansyah, S.E., M.Sc.
The smelter project, built by PT Amman Mineral Industri (PT AMIN), has an input capacity of 900,000 Tonnes Per Annum (TPA) and is targeted for completion in 2023 according to the deadline determined by the Government. In July 2021, verification of the progress of the smelter construction reached 27.56%, in accordance with the minimum development target that has been approved by the Government.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ir. Arifin Tasrif expressed his appreciation for the progress of development, despite being faced with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The smelter project is one of the National Strategic Projects launched by the Government to encourage down streaming. Therefore, we appreciate AMMAN’s efforts in the progress of this smelter construction,” said Arifin.
During this working visit, AMMAN’s President Director, Rachmat Makkasau, who accompanied the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, expressed a number of requests to the Government. “We hope that the Government will continue to support AMMAN in obtaining tax and non-tax facilities and incentives, which will greatly assist the sustainability of our operations,” said Rachmat.
In addition to reviewing the location of the smelter, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources and his entourage also visited other locations in Batu Hijau, including looking at the reclamation area and an open pit which is currently in Phase 7 production and development. “AMMAN has made a significant transformation, so that operations run more productively and efficiently. This best practice allows us to continue the development of Phase 7, which was previously considered to have no economic value. To make this happen, we change our mindset and think boldly, by sticking to the vision to create the best legacy. We are very grateful for the support and guidance from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,” explained Rachmat.
The operational strategy implemented by AMMAN is sustainable mining, through environmental management programs such as simultaneous reclamation with mining operations. Not only that, AMMAN also targets the use of solar panel technology and other forms of renewable energy that are environmentally friendly to continue to increase from year to year.