ANTAM and INALUM’s Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery Mempawah Project witnesses the first bauxite injection phase

PT Aneka Tambang, an Indonesian mining company, has begun the first bauxite injection phase at its Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery Mempawah Project. The company says this phase initiates the commissioning of the project, which is a joint effort between PT Aneka Tambang, popularly known as ANTAM, and PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium, recognised as INALUM.

The inauguration of the first bauxite injection was on September 29, 2024, in presence of several officials, including Minister Erick Thohir, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, and directors and commissioners.

As per the understanding between the two firms, ANTAM will supply bauxite to the project from its mines in West Kalimantan. The project with alumina production target of 1 million tonnes will require 3.3 million tonnes of washed bauxite.

According to ANTAM President Director Nico Kanter, the Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery Mempawah Project will be a key supplier of alumina for the domestic aluminium smelters.

Kanter said, “SGAR Mempawah plays a central role in creating an integrated aluminium industry ecosystem from upstream to downstream, as well as meeting the needs of other industries that require high-quality alumina.”

Kanter added, “As a manager of mineral resources, we are committed to optimising the potential of bauxite to increase the competitiveness of the national industry. We believe, with the operation of SGAR Mempawah, Indonesia’s position as a major player in the global bauxite industry will be even stronger.”

The Mempawah project, slated to start its commercial operation in H1 2025, is owned by INALUM with 60 per cent share and Aneka Tambang with 40 per cent share.