TINS Assesses Potential Findings of the Rare Earth Metal Monazite in Bangka and Belitung

Mining illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Timah Tbk (TINS) is conducting an investigation regarding the discovery of the rare earth metal (LTJ) monazite in the PT Timah work area.

PT Timah's Director of Operations and Production, Nur Adi Kuncoro, revealed that PT Timah, through its exploration team, has carried out an inventory of areas that have monazite potential, namely in the South Bangka and East Belitung areas.

"So monazite is currently in the process of inventorying potential locations for monazite, namely in South Bangka and East Belitung on land," said Nur Adi Kuncoro at the 2023 Public Expose Live Press Conference quoted on Wednesday, November 29.

Adi further said that the exploration team had also carried out calculations to ascertain the size of the existing potential and the amount that could be exploited further.

However, he emphasized that monazite mining must be carried out in conjunction with tin mining because monazite is part of tin's by-product minerals.

"Monazite is part of the minerals that accompany tin, which apart from monazite includes zircon, xenotime and ilmenite. This must also go hand in hand with tin mining. Monazite is a by-product," he said.

For this reason, he confirmed that he would continue to carry out calculations and studies to what extent monazite could be developed into a downstream product needed in the market.

Previously, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif revealed that the government is currently prioritizing several mineral and coal policies, including increasing exploration of mineral and coal reserve resources, including the potential for rare earth metals and critical minerals.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has also issued a Ministerial Decree (Kepmen) of ESDM regarding the types of commodities that are classified as critical minerals.

This classification is contained in the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree Number 296.K/MB.01/MEM.B/2023 concerning Determining Types of Commodities that are Classified as Critical Minerals.