PT Timah expands exploration at two Indonesian sites
The tin miner will include the exploration expansion in its 2027 work programme, with potential resources still requiring verification.
PT Timah is expanding exploration at Dabo Singkep in the Riau Islands and Merbuk Kenari in Bangka Belitung as it seeks to increase tin ore production, production and commercial director Ilhamsyah Mahendra said.
At Dabo Singkep, the company estimates potential additional reserves of around 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes, although exploration is needed to verify that figure. Ilhamsyah said he believed the potential could be greater.
The company obtained its mining business permit for Dabo Singkep in the 1990s but halted exploration because tin prices of only US$5,000 per tonne made the deposit uneconomic to mine, he said. With prices now around US$45,000 to US$50,000 per tonne, PT Timah is pursuing exploration there again and has made a fresh submission to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
At Merbuk Kenari, PT Timah has secured a special mining business permit and begun exploration, Ilhamsyah said. Work in the area had previously been held up by an issue involving reclamation guarantees. He estimated its tin ore potential at 5,000 to 10,000 tonnes.
The exploration expansion forms part of the company's short- and medium-term efforts and will be incorporated into its work programme for 2027.
