State-owned diversified miner PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) increased its gold sales target to 30 tons this year ,7.5 percent higher than last year’s achievement of 27.8 tons, president director Arie Prabowo Ariotedjo said over the weekend.

“The focus in 2019 is, of course, gold. We also aim to sell 30,000 tons of ferronickel. We are also awaiting an ore export permit,” he said.

Meanwhile, the company’s finance report shows that its gold production stood at 1.95 tons in 2018 and its ferronickel production at 24.86 tons.

In terms of facilities, Arie said the company’s nickel smelter project in Tanjung Buli, East Halmahera was set to operate in July, one month behind schedule.

The operation of the Tanjung Buli smelter will boost feronickel production with its production capacity of 13,500 tons.

Meanwhile, for the Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery (SGAR) project in Mempawah, West Kalimantan, Ario said the company had signed heads of agreement last year. He added that the company was evaluating the engineering, procurement and construction plan.

“We hope construction can kick off soon,” he said. (bbn)