JAKARTA. State-owned tin mining company PT Timah (Persero) Tbk (TINS) is preparing the development of a low grade tin ore smelter using the EPCC TSL Furnace Ausmelt in West Bangka.
According to TINS Operation and Production Director Alwin Albar, the smelter will have a capacity of 40,000 tonnes. The development will be carried out by PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk (WIKA). "Today we held a meeting with WIKA to discuss the project," said Mr Albar as quoted by Kontan, Wednesday (22/1).
The Ausmelt technology, said Mr Albar, will anticipate declining tin reserves, which have been mined for centuries. The company fears that using a conventional technology would cause its mined tins to have lower economic values.
The project will be commenced at the end of January. The company estimates that the project will be completed within 19 months, with operations commenced by 2021. (KR/MS)