Fulfilling Needs, Antam Imports 30 Tons Of Gold From Australia And Singapore

Illustration: Photo: Doc. ANTARA

JAKARTA - PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) imports 30 tons of gold from Singapore and Australia per year to meet domestic needs.

"Maybe 30 tons. Our potential is 90 tons," said Antam President Director Achmad Ardianto in a Hearing Meeting (RDP) with Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Monday, September 29.

Didi, Ardianto's nickname, explained that actually Indonesia has a total production potential of 90 tons of gold per year obtained from private gold mines. According to Antam's gold mine, Tambang Pongkor is only able to produce 1 ton of gold.

Then Antam's buyback scheme is also considered unable to meet the needs of gold per year which reaches 40 tons.

On the other hand, the gold sale and purchase contract with PT Freeport Indonesia of 25 to 30 tons has not been maximized.

"So if currently the production is Freeport, it is estimated at this early stage, because it is still in the commissioning process and there are also several incidents, maybe only 25 tons, we need it maybe we can reach 40-50 tons later," he continued.

Upaya pemenuhan kebutuhan emas dalam negeri ini juga dilakukan Antam dengan membeli emas dari perusahaan-perusahaan seperti PT Indo Muro Kencana, PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals dan perusahaan-perusahaan di Indonesia yang menambang emas.

"Mereka memurnikan di Antam, kemudian kita menawarkan," jelas Didi.

Kendati melakukan impor, Didi memastikan emas yang didatangkan dari Australia dan Singapura ini terdaftar dalam London Bullion Market (LBMA).

Perusahaan-perusahaan yang terafiliasi meliputi bullion bank, refinery, maupun trader.

Antam also made efforts to fulfill domestic gold needs by buying gold from companies such as PT Indo Muro Kencana, PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals and companies in Indonesia that mine gold.

"They purify in Antam, then we offer," explained Didi.

Despite imports, Didi ensured that the gold imported from Australia and Singapore was registered with the London Bullion Market (LBMA).

Affiliated companies include bullion banks, refinerys, and traders.