REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - State-owned diversified miner PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) recorded volume of gold reserves and its resources reached 9.5 million dry metric ton (dmt) by the end of June 2013. Gold reserves increased five percent compared to the last year.

Corporate secretary of Antam, Tri Hartono said Antam also recorded nickel reserves and its resources was 855.9 million wet metric tons (wmt) or four percent increase  from the last year. Number of bauxite reserves also increased 15 percent at a level of 546.8 million wmt.

During the first half of 2013, Antam's exploration focus on nickel, gold, bauxite and other minerals, such as coal and zircon. Gold exploration activities were carried out in Bujang and Batulicin (Jambi), Pongkor and Papandayan (West Java), Cibaliung (Banten) and Bintang Mountains (Papua).

Nickel explorations were conducted in Buli (North Maluku), Lasolo, Lalindu, Mandiodo, Tapunopaka (Southeast Sulawesi) and Gag (West Papua). Total cost that has been spent for all explorations in first semester reached 105.05 billion IDR.

"Currently, Antam is waiting for forest use permit to continue our exploration activities in all regions. Once we have the permit, we will continoue the exploration activities," Hartono said on Wednesday.

Beside Indonesia, Antam is preparing exploration activities in Myanmar and will focus on gold and now the company is waiting for the permit from Myanmar government.

Until the first half of 2013, Antam spent 1.1 trillion IDR for capital expenditure. About 76 percent of it was used for investment development, while 23 percent for routine investment and exploration. 

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