PT Timah Develops Pilot Plant For Rare Earth Metals In Bangka Belitung

Illustration (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - PT Timah Tbk (TINS) developed a Rare Land Metal Plant Pilot (LTJ) in Tanjung Snake, West Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands Province.

TINS together with MIND ID as BUMN Holding Indonesian Mining Industry continues to make efforts to accelerate the development of LTJ.

Deputy President Director of MIND ID Dany Amrul Ichdan said the main focus at this time is the revitalization and modification of Pilot Plant as a monasit processing facility to be reused as part of the development of LTJ.

"It is hoped that TINS can quickly create added value through the industrialization of mineral-based LTJs from Tin mining," he said in a written statement, Thursday, April 24.

He continued, this is also part of the strategy of downstreaming national minerals, as well as encouraging technological innovation and increasing economic added value. Moreover, LTJ is needed by strategic industries such as permanent magnets, hybrid batteries, electronics, and catalysts.

Dany conveyed that the MIND ID Group through Timah has LTJ management which is rarely owned by other countries. Indonesia has the ability to process this rare earth in the country so that the added value and benefits can be felt by all Indonesian people.

"This rare earth element consists of 15 elements, with dominant elements including Cerium, Lantanum, Neodymium and Prasedemium. With the development of this rare earth, we believe that Indonesia will be able to become the basis for the development of the future strategic industrial ecosystem," he said.

Director of Business Development of TINS Dicky Octa Zahriadi said that in 2024, development will focus on finding technology partners to accelerate monasit processing into Mix Rare Earth Carbonate products.

"To support the development of monasit processing technology, TINS cooperates with various technology partner institutions, both from within the country and abroad," he said.

In addition, Dicky also explained that Rare Earth contains thorium which can be optimized as an energy source for Nuclear Power Plants (PLTN).

By continuing to try to take advantage of the potential for domestic thorium, we can contribute to increasing the added value of LTJ processing to encourage energy independence.

Meanwhile, this pilot plant has started in 2010, but on its way, there are several challenges faced in the development of this processing facility. The availability of proven processing technology is still limited, at least strategic partner options that have technology and experience, as well as the pilot plant revitalization process require time and technical support.

"TINS continues to be committed to operating pilot plants as an early stage of technology validation and limited-scale testing," he continued.

In the future, Timah also plans to build a commercial-scale LTJ processing plant with raw materials from monasit as aleading mineral.

Tin will also increase strategic collaboration with technology partners to accelerate the mastery of LTJ processing technology.

"With the development of REE in the country, Timah seeks to expand the supply chain of national mineral natural resources-based industries," added Dicky.

The Rare Earth Element project in Tanjung Snake is an important milestone because REE is a vital component in the development of future technology and the transition of environmentally friendly energy.