Amman Minerals International (AMMN) Boosts Completion of Copper Smelter Project
Amman Minerals International (AMMN) Boosts Completion of Copper Smelter Project
25 Jul 2024, 03:29 PM 5853

PT Amman Mineral Internasional Tbk (AMMN) is boosting the completion of its copper smelter project. The smelter, located in West Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, is being worked on by AMMN's subsidiary, PT Amman Mineral Industri (AMIN).President Director of Amman Mineral Industri, Rachmat Makkasau explained that the progress of AMMN's copper smelter has reached 95.5% from the verification results as of May 31, 2024. This progress indicates that the AMMN smelter project has reached the completion of physical and mechanical construction. The remaining 4.5% is the commissioning stage which is currently underway. The commissioning stage has started since June 1. Rachmat emphasized that the progress of the AMMN copper smelter is going according to plan.“We have received a Certificate of Commissioning Readiness from an independent verifier. It indicates that Amman's copper smelter has met all requirements for safe commissioning,” Rachmat said on Tuesday (16/7).The commissioning phase is scheduled to last for four to five months. During this stage, the smelter furnace will begin to heat up and copper concentrate will begin to be fed into the smelter.The first copper cathode production signaling the start of smelter operations is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024.Previously, commissioning of supporting infrastructure has been carried out since the first quarter of 2024. For example, the desalination and demineralization water (DDW) supply facility and the oxygen and nitrogen gas supply facility of the air separation unit. AMMN's copper smelter facility has a total input capacity of 900 kilo tons per annum (ktpa) of concentrate from the Batu Hijau mine and the future Elang mine. The products of this smelter will be copper cathode which reaches 222 ktpa and sulfuric acid which reaches 830 ktpa.AMMN is indeed aggressively working on its projects. This year, AMMN has prepared a jumbo capital expenditure. The value is US$ 2.01 billion or around Rp 31.7 trillion in 2024. Recently, AMMN was also rumored to be looking for a large loan worth US$ 1.5 billion to develop its copper and gold mines.In terms of stock movements, AMMN's share price has climbed 71.37% since the beginning of the year or year to date. But in yesterday's stock trading, AMMN fell 3.02% to IDR 11,225 per share.

Antam Focuses on EV Battery Projects
Antam Focuses on EV Battery Projects
25 Jul 2024, 03:23 PM 3877

In line with the government program in developing ev batteries for electric vehicles in Indonesia, the presence of nickel mining companies is considered to benefit a lot in the long run.PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) as one of the largest nickel producers in Indonesia is also currently focusing on the ev battery project.Antam Corporate Secretary Syarif Faisal Alkadri said the ev battery project is the focus of the project being carried out.“We are focusing on the downstreaming of all the company's commodities, where in the nickel sector one of them is the completion of the ev battery project both upstream and downstream,” he said.Faisal said Antam had completed various stages in the development of ev batteries.“Currently, all work on this project is running in accordance with the timeline prepared. We are committed to completing the milestones that have been planned to be completed this year,” he added.Previously on December 28, 2023, Antam together with HongKong CBL Limited (HKCBL) completed the divestment transaction of 49% shares in PT Sumberdaya Arindo (SDA) and the divestment transaction of 60% shares in PT Feni Haltim (FHT) with a total cash consideration of IDR 7.23 trillion.“This transaction is an important part of the operation of the nickel mine to supply nickel ore and the development of industrial estates, as well as the construction and operation of nickel processing and refining plants,” Faisal was quoted as saying in Antam's press release.Antam and HKCBL have also signed a joint venture agreement for the hydrometallurgical project (HPAL JVCO) on December 22, 2023. Faisal said the transaction would be an important foundation for the development of the EV Battery ecosystem in Indonesia.“For the establishment of HPAL JVCO, ANTAM and HKCBL also continue to coordinate so that the process of establishing HPAL JVCO can be carried out in 2025,” he concluded.

Bukit Asam Launches World-First Project to Convert Coal into Battery Materials
Bukit Asam Launches World-First Project to Convert Coal into Battery Materials
25 Jul 2024, 03:19 PM 3684

State-owned coal miner Bukit Asam has launched a pilot project to convert coal into artificial graphite and anode sheets for lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery production. This initiative, in collaboration with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), is claimed to be the first of its kind globally.Artificial graphite is a key material in anode production, while anode sheets serve as the positive electrode for oxidation reactions, making them essential components of Li-ion batteries.Dilo Seno Widagdo, Director of Portfolio & Business Development at Bukit Asam's parent company MIND ID, said that all companies under the MIND ID Group are committed to maximizing the value of Indonesia's mineral and coal resources. The pilot project is expected to advance toward commercial stages, and Dilo emphasized that its sustainability requires comprehensive support and thorough economic analysis.“MIND ID is focused on supporting the electric vehicle battery ecosystem. Therefore, this potential must be fully backed by the entire MIND ID Group. This project is a strategic step that not only diversifies PTBA's business but also strengthens our position in the future supply chain of electric vehicle batteries,” Dilo said in an official statement on Tuesday.PTBA President Director Arsal Ismail added that converting coal into artificial graphite and anode sheets reflects the company's commitment to supporting government policies aimed at enhancing coal downstream processing and ensuring national energy resilience."Bukit Asam aims to provide continuous energy for the nation. One of our efforts is to develop the coal industry using clean technology in Indonesia. The implementation of anode sheets made from coal is a world first, representing a significant breakthrough in coal downstream processing. This conversion will also support the advancement of the domestic electric vehicle industry," Arsal said.Demand for artificial graphite and anode sheets is expected to rise, driven by growth in the electric vehicle sector. These materials are critical not only for electric vehicles but also for industries such as energy storage, electronics, and medical equipment.Mulyadi Sinung Harjono, Director of Research Utilization & Innovation at BRIN said that the pilot project will strengthen Indonesia's position in the strategic raw materials industry."We hope that the collaboration with PTBA continues to produce beneficial research and that the pilot project proceeds as planned," he said.

Adaro Energy (ADRO) Strategy to Drive Performance in the Second Semester of 2024
Adaro Energy (ADRO) Strategy to Drive Performance in the Second Semester of 2024
25 Jul 2024, 03:14 PM 6288

PT Adaro Energy Indonesia Tbk (ADRO) is preparing a strategy to spur performance in semester II/2024. Head of Corporate Communication of Adaro Energy Indonesia Febriati Nadira explained that coal prices in the second semester of 2024 will move following the cycle and will always fluctuate. “We will remain focused on everything we can control such as operational control to ensure the achievement of company targets and cost efficiency,” Nadira said, Friday (19/7/2024). Nadira said operational excellence and cost efficiency are things that concern ADRO. In addition, he said, ADRO also continues to develop and diversify its business to increase contributions from the non-thermal coal sector by continuing to play an active role in mineral and renewable energy projects.“Adaro remains confident that the fundamentals of the coal and energy sector in the long term remain strong, especially with the support of development activities in Asian countries,” Nadira said. President Director of Adaro Energy Indonesia Garibaldi 'Boy' Thohir previously explained that his party saw lower coal selling prices this year compared to last year. However, Boy said, he views ADRO's performance as relatively better compared to other coal companies.“Our performance is relatively okay compared to others because we are efficient, reliable, we continue to do efficiency. Because in my opinion, no one can predict the selling price. As long as we can be the most efficient producer, we can compete,” Boy Thohir told Bisnis in Jakarta, Tuesday (25/6/2024). Nadira said ADRO was optimistic about the future prospects of the Adaro Group and its desire to diversify revenue sources.As a national energy provider company, according to Nadira, Adaro wants to play an important role in supporting Indonesia's economic transformation, including taking opportunities to support the green economy. Through the Adaro Minerals pillar, Adaro continues to support government programs and participate in mineral downstreaming programs and green economy development in Indonesia by committing to build an aluminum smelter in North Kalimantan province.Meanwhile, through the Adaro Green pillar, Adaro continues to play an active role in renewable energy projects for downstream or mineral processing and actively participates in tenders for various renewable power plants. Previously, Mirae Asset Sekuritas analyst Rizkia Darmawan explained that the current price for coal commodities is not as good as last year. However, this is quite in line with market expectations that coal prices are not as high as last year due to different situations.“Last year there was supply chain disruption and more intense geopolitical tension, so this year we do not expect the price to be better than last year,” said Darma. Darma estimates that coal prices will move in the range of USD 101-USF150 per ton. According to him, the volatility in coal prices that has occurred to date is still in line with Mirae Asset Sekuritas' expectations.On the demand side, Darma sees that demand from India and China, which are facing summer, is still quite stable for now. Darma estimates that this will prop up coal prices going forward. With these catalysts, Darma estimates that there will be an improvement in the performance and financial statements of coal issuers for the second quarter of 2024.

Freeport Indonesia Smelter in Gresik Able to Refine 3 Million Tons of Copper Per Year
Freeport Indonesia Smelter in Gresik Able to Refine 3 Million Tons of Copper Per Year
25 Jul 2024, 12:21 PM 4688

Deputy Chairman of Commission VII of the House of Representatives, Eddy Soeparno, expressed his appreciation for the achievements of the PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) Smelter in the Gresik Special Economic Zone (SEZ) whose construction has run smoothly until now entering the operating period. “We give our greatest appreciation to PTFI for reaching the operating stage in accordance with the schedule agreed upon with the government. We hope that this process will run smoothly until the production process in August and full production in December 2024,” said Deputy Chairman of Commission VII DPR RI Eddy Soeparno during a visit to the Freeport Smelter, Wednesday (17/7/2024).Eddy said the Freeport smelter is important in supporting Indonesia's mineral downstreaming program. He hopes the smelter can provide optimal benefits for the nation and state.“We hope that this production will develop further, so that the output produced by PTFI can be absorbed domestically. After the PTFI Smelter is established, there is even greater pressure for the government to bring in derivative industries so that the added value of the PTFI Smelter output is not only exported but can be managed domestically,” he said. Eddy hopes that the government, in this case the Ministry of Industry, will issue policies that can accelerate the growth of domestic industries, including the utilization of products from the PTFI smelter that can be used domestically.PTFI President Director Tony Wenas said in his presentation that from August 2024 to December 2024, around 400 thousand tons of concentrate will be refined at the PTFI Smelter.“We plan to start production in August and will ramp up 100% in December 2024. Once fully operational, the input capacity of the PTFI Smelter and PT Smelting will be able to refine all of PTFI's copper concentrate in the country, which reaches around 3 million tons per year,” Tony said. When in production, Tony continued, the copper concentrate from PTFI's mining operations in Papua will be refined entirely domestically. “Our common task is that the copper cathode produced by the PTFI smelter can be consumed domestically.There are more downstream industries that will emerge to utilize the copper cathodeproduced by the PTFI smelter,” Tony said. The main end products of the PTFI smelter are copper cathode, gold and silver bars.While the by-products are sulfuric acid, slag, PGM, and selenium.During the visit, Commission VII DPR RI directly reviewed various areas in the smelter such as the refinery, smelter operation area, sulfuric acid facility, control room and anode casting.(hsb) 

Delta Dunia Group Acquires US Mining Company USD 122.4 Million
Delta Dunia Group Acquires US Mining Company USD 122.4 Million
17 Jul 2024, 08:30 PM 4548

PT Delta Dunia Makmur Tbk (Delta Dunia Group) has completed the acquisition of mining company Atlantic Carbon Group (ACG) for USD 122.4 million. Through this acquisition, the company ensures ownership of four very high grade anthracite (a type of low-emission coal) mines in Pennsylvania, United States.Delta Dunia Group President Director Ronald Sutardja explained that the acquisition of the US mining company was carried out through the American Anthracite SPV I, LLC entity as a subsidiary under PT Bukit Makmur International (BUMA International). With the acquisition, the company's revenue is projected to increase by USD 120-130 million per year from 2024 to 2028.“With the long operational life of four active ACG mines that can support more than 25 years of mining and production of up to 25 million tons of low-carbon steel per year,” he said in the company's official statement, Tuesday (9/7/2024).In addition, this move is also considered to significantly diversify the Group's revenue, increasing the portion of revenue from non-thermal coal from 19% in FY2023 to 28% in FY2024. This is in line with the Group's strategic objective to reduce dependency on thermal coal.Previously, BUMA has also expanded its global network by acquiring BUMA Australia in 2021. Since then, BUMA has not only successfully built a network in one of the world's leading mining centers, but also expanded their services to metallurgical coal.According to Ronald, this strategic expansion has resulted in BUMA Australia's order book quadrupling by 2022, significantly improving the Group's operational performance.“This acquisition enables ACG and BUMA's operations in Indonesia and Australia, along with our other associated businesses, to leverage on each other's extensive experience, best practices and innovative approaches in safety, mining operations and management.”On the other hand, ACG CEO Eric Martin, welcomed the completion of the acquisition of the mining company he leads. According to him, this acquisition will have a very good impact on the company as a whole, especially in terms of growth and innovation.“ACG continues to show consistent growth, supported by strong market demand and favorable UHG (Ultra High Grade) anthracite prices. Being part of Delta Dunia Group opens up new opportunities for growth and innovation,” Eric said.“With BUMA's renowned expertise in seamlessly integrating acquisitions and their operational excellence, we are poised to significantly increase our production capacity. We look forward to leveraging their extensive industry experience to unlock new potential and drive major advancements in our operational strategy,” he concluded.

Harita Nickel (NCKL) Optimistic to Achieve 2024 Production Target
Harita Nickel (NCKL) Optimistic to Achieve 2024 Production Target
16 Jul 2024, 09:06 PM 5161

PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk (NCKL) is optimistic about achieving its production target this year. This target will be supported by the last or third line of the High Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) smelter which will start operating in August 2024 and fully operational in October / November 2024.Head of Investor Relations Harita Nickel Lukito Gozali said, FeNi production target (PT MSP + PT HJF) for 2024 is 120,000 tons of nickel content and MHP production (PT Halmahera Persada Lygend or HPL + PT Obi Nickel Cobalt or ONC) is 75,000 - 85,000 tons of nickel content.“We are committed to continuing to produce in accordance with the installed capacity, and until the first quarter of 2024, our production results are still higher than the existing installed capacity,” Lukito told Kontan, Thursday (11/7).Lukito explained, according to the report for the first quarter of 2024, Harita Nickel's production results include 30,434 tons of nickel content in FeNi, which is above the installed capacity of 30,000 tons of nickel content in FeNi (PT MSP + PT HJF). In addition, 16,717 tons of nickel content in MHP, above the installed capacity of 13,750 tons of nickel content in MHP (only PT HPL, PT ONC began production in the second quarter).Kontan notes, President Director of Harita Nickel Roy Arman Arfandy said that currently in the global market there is indeed a decline in nickel prices which also affects the income of world nickel companies including in Indonesia.“This decline depends on various factors. The first factor is geopolitical tension, the war in Ukrania and Russia and the war in the Middle East. It all encourages the volatility of nickel prices,” he said when met by Kontan at the Public Expose event in the South Jakarta area, Thursday (27/06).Apart from geopolitics, Roy admitted that the decline in prices was also influenced by the oversupply of nickel in Indonesia. Even so, he is optimistic that the decline in nickel prices this year will not last long. Because in March 2024, nickel prices have started to show an increase.

PT Timah Invests IDR 38.7 Billion for Exploration in the Q2 2024
PT Timah Invests IDR 38.7 Billion for Exploration in the Q2 2024
16 Jul 2024, 09:02 PM 3647

Timah Tbk (TINS) reported exploration activities in Bangka Waters and Kundur waters carried out during the second quarter of 2024 or the April-June 2024 period.TINS management in its statement quoted from information disclosure, Thursday (11/7), said that this exploration activity focused on tin commodities with a cost of IDR 38.70 billion with details for operational activities amounting to IDR 38.70 billion and investment costs of IDR 0.Exploration activities at sea in that period included detailed drilling activities in Bangka Waters and Kundur Waters using 3 units of drill ships and 1 unit of pontoon and 4 units of drill ships with a drill meter toll of 7,767.80 meters.Onshore exploration activities in Q2-2024 include geomagnetic survey mapping and tin drilling (primary and alluvial) and guide drilling in Bangka and Belitung Waters with a total drill meters of 636.25 meters.Meanwhile, the plan for exploration activities in the third quarter of 2024 is to continue activities and evaluate the previous month's activities. Drilling activities at sea are planned using 5 drill ships allocated in Bangka and Kundur Waters while land activities for tin drilling (primary and alluvial) and guide drilling on Bangka and Belitung Islands.The following exploration activities are geophysical ground magnetic surveys in the Penyamun area as well as bathymetric topographic surveys in the Dante sea and Permis sea and continuing topographic surveys in Bangka and Belitung.

RMK Energy Tbk (RMKE) Records Coal Sales of 1.2 Million Tons as of June 2024
RMK Energy Tbk (RMKE) Records Coal Sales of 1.2 Million Tons as of June 2024
16 Jul 2024, 08:57 PM 3766

PT RMK Energy Tbk (RMKE) recorded an increase in coal sales of around 6.5% to 1.2 million metric tons in June 2024. The company has achieved its 2024 coal sales target by 34.1%.President Director of RMKE, Vincent Saputra said, the growth in coal sales volume was supported by the production growth of the in-house mine, PT Truba Bara Banyu Enim (TBBE) which produced 92.4 thousand metric tons in June 2024. With a monthly increase of around 31.8%, it has successfully met its annual target of 30.7%. “The increase in coal production volume in June was supported by weather conditions that began to improve in the second quarter of 2024,” Vincent said in an official statement, Wednesday (8/7).According to him, in the second quarter of this year the weather became more friendly. The volume of the coal sales segment in June 2024 continued to increase significantly. With improved operational performance, said Vincent, this will also have a positive impact on financial performance in the second quarter of this year. Not only TBBE, the production of several mines in the South Sumatra area has also improved so that RMKE's barge loading volume has also increased. Vincent Saputra said that in the second quarter of this year the weather became more friendly, the volume of coal sales segment in June 2024 continued to increase significantly.In addition, it is planned that this year RMKE will also develop its coal logistics business outside the South Sumatra area by collaborating with new mines.“With expansion opportunities outside South Sumatra and more collaborations, we are increasingly optimistic to be able to maintain sustainable growth in operational and financial performance,” he concluded. 

Amman Mineral Smelter is expected to start production in Q4 2024
Amman Mineral Smelter is expected to start production in Q4 2024
16 Jul 2024, 08:53 PM 6470

PT Amman Mineral Internasional Tbk (AMMN) through its subsidiary, PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT), is expected to start copper cathode production in the fourth quarter of 2024 is expected to start copper cathode production in the fourth quarter of 2024.The company is currently completing the commissioning process of the copper smelter in West Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).As of May 31, 2024, the progress of the project, which is a National Strategic Project (PSN), has reached 95.5 percent.AMNT President Director Rachmat Makkasau in an official statement in Jakarta, Saturday, explained that the smelter is designed to have an installed input capacity of 900 thousand tons of concentrate per year (ktpa).“In addition, the smelter will produce final products in the form of 222 thousand tons of copper cathode per year (tpa), as well as sulfuric acid, gold bars, silver bars, and selenium,” Rachmat said.He continued, currently the physical construction and mechanical completion have been completed, and the progress of the smelter leaves another 5 percent, which is the commissioning stage that is in process.“The commissioning process, which began in early June 2024, is scheduled to last for five months,” Rachmat said.During this period, various stages of equipment and infrastructure testing will be carried out to ensure all systems function optimally before starting commercial production.“One of the stages in the commissioning process is the entry of copper concentrate as a smelter feed. Meanwhile, the first copper cathode production from the smelter is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024,” Rachmat said.By 2023, AMNT's contribution to the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of West Sumbawa Regency will be 82 percent.In constructing the smelter, AMNT is working 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 expect this project to be one of the fastest double-flash smelting facilities built outside China,” Rachmat said.The company obtained certification for the National Vital Object Security Management System (SMP Obvitnas) from the National Police Headquarters, with a Gold category and a compliance value of 90.44 percent. based on Presidential Decree No. 63 of 2004 and Indonesian National Police Regulation No. 7 of 2019, which regulates the security of national vital objects.Rachmat explained that the certification confirms the company's commitment to implementing best practices in security management.“This success is also a strategic step in eliminating potential threats and disturbances, and systematically improving operational security,” Rachmat said.In addition, the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding & Technical Work Guidelines for National Security Services with the NTB Police to strengthen security and supervision during the smelter construction process. This step is in line with the company's efforts to strengthen its recently certified security management system.

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