PT Aneka Tambang Tbk(Antam), who is also a member of BUMN's mining holding company Mind.Id, is currently focusing on implementing downstream based development strategic initiatives. This downstream development is of course aimed at increasing the value added of mineral commodities and strengthening the company's core business.
One way to enhance and increase this added value is to complete the nickel plant construction project in the East Hamahera Regency (Haltim) in North Maluku. The plant is currently entering the project construction phase and subsequent implementation.
This follows the signing in March 2022 of a power purchase agreement (PJBTL) between Antam and PT PLN (Persero) to supply the East Halmahera nickel-iron plant.
Currently, PT PLN's power procurement phase in the form of diesel and gas fired power plants (PLTDG) is underway. The start-up of the first phase of the 15 megawatt (MW) power plant began in December 2022.
The next phase, the second phase of the ignition process for the 75 MW plant, is planned for the first quarter of 2023, followed by a series of commissioning phases for the plant and the nickel-iron plant.
Dolok Robert Silaban, Antam's Director of Business Development, said that through positive synergies and strong commitment between Antam and PLN, the implementation of PJBTL can be optimised to accelerate the completion of the Haltim nickel plant construction phase.
"With the progress of the power procurement process and completion of the plant construction phase, the Haltim ferronickel plant is scheduled to begin operations in the second half of 2023," Dolok said.
He continued that the Haltim nickel plant, which will produce 13,500 tons of ferric nickel (TNi) annually, is 98% of the way through November 2022. With the completion of plant construction and commissioning, the Haltim ferro nickel plant will increase Antam's total installed capacity portfolio to 40,500 TNi per year.
