ANTAM Accelerates The Optimisation Of FENI III Smelter

ANTAM also accelerates the optimisation of the smelter due to indication and signs of metal leak at the furnace wall on April 18, 2009. The indication and sign of the leak occured at the weak spot of the refractory bricks. ANTAM has lowered the power load of the FeNi III smelter and expects the works can start in the middle of May 2009.

ANTAM plans to conduct the optimisation program for three to four months. ANTAM will replace the cooling system of the furnace and wishes to operate the smelter at maximum capacity following the optimisation program. The cost of the optimisation program will be borne by the contractors who have allocated approximately US$7.5 million. ANTAM’s ferronickel production target in 2009 remains unchanged at 12,000 tonnes nickel contained in ferronickel.