PT J Resources Asia Pasifik Tbk (PSAB) is developing a number of gold mining projects to improve its business performance in the future.
During 2022, PSAB is focusing on completing permanent and temporary access road work from and to the new Tapagale pit located in the company's Bakan gold mining project area in Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi.
The existence of the road will make it easier for PSAB to transport gold mining materials from the Bakan project. What's more, the gold hidden in Bakan has a fairly high grade of about 0.81 grams per ton.
In addition, PSAB also carried out work in the form of the construction of three sediment ponds and a sewage channel in the Tapapagale pit.
PSAB management has also poured capital expenditure (capex) of US$ 6.7 million as of November 2022 to develop the Bakan project.
"The overall capex for the Bakan project is around US$ 20 million," said Sanjaya J. Director of J Resources Asia Pacific in a public expose, Thursday (29/12).
On the same occasion, Adi Maryono, Director of J Resources Asia Pacific said that the construction of the access road in the Tapagale Pit will be completed in the first quarter of 2023. When it goes down, PSAB can further optimize the gold production of the Bakan Project which is estimated at 80,000 tons per year.
In general, the Bakan project has 1.1 million ounces of gold resources and 614,000 ounces of reserves. The Bakan project is considered to be able to continue to make a maximum contribution to PSAB's operational performance in the next few years.
Furthermore, PSAB is also developing the Doup gold mine project which is also located in Bolaang Mongondow. Currently, PSAB is still working on a gold processing plant for the Doup project.
PSAB also built a power over head line with a capacity of 20 MW for electricity supply needs from PLN to the Doup project. A water treatment facility was also built by PSAB in the project. Overall, the Doup project itself has a capex need of US$ 154 million.
"We will start preparations for gold mining at the Doup project in the fourth quarter of 2023 and it is expected that gold production can start in the first quarter of 2024," said Adi.
He also said that the Doup project has 3.4 million ounces of gold resources, while its gold reserves reach 1.8 million ounces. The gold that can be produced from the mine is estimated to be around 60,000—70,000 ounces per year over the next 20 years.
Image source: ANTARA FOTO/M Rusma
