PANGKALPINANG: PT Timah Tbk, Indonesia-based tin producer, maximizes the productivity of offshore mine by building four Sucktion Dredge Vessels (KIP), modifying a unit of Bucket Wheel Dredge, and constructing a unit of new BWD. This effort will somehow reduce dependence on onshore mining since the company already faces complications in onshore mining and spatial management, said President Director of PT Timah Wachid Usman.Over the last 5 years, the onshore mining production had higher contribution of 80% to total tin production, while the remaining 20% came from offshore mining for each year.In the future, we will more focus on offshore mining site with more than 50 meters depth, he affirmed in a celebration event for 100 years of Tin Dredger technology in Indonesia, yesterday.Since 2010, offshore production has soared more than 60% of total production.Unfortunately, so far, the producer is only able to operate dredgers with a maximum depth by 50 meters, whereas there is a higher potency of tin reserves at more than 50 meters depth.Additional investmentHe estimates the production of KIP units with small capacity to require about IDR30 billion per unit. Meanwhile, the production project has been handled by PT DAK and PT Timah Industri commencing in March 2008.By having KIP units, the spotted reserve production can be maximized and now about 10 units of KIP have been operated in Bangka and Kundur Islands.
In addition, the modification process in BWD technology is still on progress to substitute old dredgers.By having positive energy and profitable cooperation from other parties, the offshore mining industry is expected to keep improving in the future, Wachid said.Moreover, Governor of Bangka Belitung Islands Eko Maulana Ali has supported PT Timah to more focus on offshore than on land mining site. Nevertheless, the company should use more advanced and environmental-friendly technology. (T01/NOM)
