Jakarta, April 12th, 2012 – PT ANTAM (Persero) Tbk (IDX: ANTM; ASX: ATM; ANTAM) is pleased to announce it has switched on the FeNi II ferronickel smelter following the completion of its optimisation program. The optimisation on FeNi II began January 21, 2012. Switch on of the smelter begins today on April 12, 2012 during an official ceremony held at ANTAM's Southeast Sulawesi Nickel Mining Business Unit at Pomalaa in Southeast Sulawesi. The optimisation program finished earlier than expected and costing less than the budgeted Rp187 billion. ANTAM partially funded the optimisation program from the Rupiah denominated bonds issued at the end of last year. Following the switch on, the load will gradually be increased and a return to full load is expected by May 2012. ANTAM aims to increase the operati-onal efficiency and safety level of the smelter following the optimisation program.
ANTAM’s President Director, Alwinsyah Lubis said:
"The optimisation of FeNi II smelter is part of our strategy to improve operational efficiency and safety level. Soon, we will also begin the modernisation and optimisation project of FeNi I smelter, which includes the development of a 2 x 30MW coal fired power plant, increasing the capacity of FeNi smelter, the development of Rotary Kiln 4 and upgrades of supporting facilities such as the jetty and belt conveyor."
The 75-days optimisation program included the replacement of the furnace roof, utilising an improved design as well as the optimisation of the furnace sidewall through the reinforcement of the copper cooler system to improve the efficiency of the energy use. ANTAM also plans to install Gas Cleaning Technology si-milar to Furnace-3 to reduce the emission level of the smelter. Despite the 75-days optimisation program, ANTAM maintains its ferronickel production target of 18,000 tons of nickel contained in ferronickel (TNi) in 2012.
