JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – State miner Aneka Tambang (ANTM) has started preparation for the construction of the fourth electric smelting furnace (ESF) as part of expansion of FerroNickel plant in Pomalaa, South Sulawesi.

Related to the project, ANTM has switched off ESF No. 1, which has been in operation since 1976. ESF No.4 will eventually replace ESF-1, which has power capacity of 18 MW and 5,500 tons of nickel per annum.

ESF-4, according to ANTM, will have capacity of 36 MW and 9,450 tons of nickel per annum. ANTM is now in the process of tender to appoint contractor for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) for ESF-4.

To support ESF-4, ANTM is also working on ore preparation line unit 4, whose construction has been started since May 1st, 2013. ANTM expects to boost its ferronickel production from 18,000-20,000 tons to 25,000-27,000 tons per annum.