ANTAM Will Ship Nickel Ores From North Maluku Mines For Feronickel Smelters In Pomalaa

Under the CRA, ANTAM sourced about 1 million tons (+/- 10%) of saprolites per year from Inco’s East Pomalaa deposits. The prices of the saprolite ores were correlated to the international nickel prices.  With the cessation of the CRA, ANTAM will use its own reserves from North Maluku mines for its ferronickel smelters in Pomalaa since its mines in Pomalaa has almost been depleted. The use of ANTAM’s own reserves is expected to reduce the cash cost of ANTAM’s ferronickel production. ANTAM will start shipping saprolite nickel ores from North Maluku to Pomalaa in September 2008.

ANTAM switched on its FeNi I smelter on June 17th, 2008 following the completion of a routine maintenance overhaul of the smelter. FeNi I smelter is currently operating at full load capacity of 17MW. Meanwhile, FeNi II and FeNI III are operating at normal and stable levels at 24-25MW and 32-33MW respectively. ANTAM is optimistic that it will be able to meet its 2008 ferronickel production target of 17,000 tones.