[ferro-alloys.com]PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (IDX: ANTM; ASX: ATM; ANTAM) is pleased to announce the 50 years of ANTAM's operation was supporting the development of mineral downstream industry in Indonesia, especially on nickel, gold and bauxite commodity through the integrated mining operation on exploration, mining, mineral processing & refining and product sales. ANTAM was incorporated in 1968 as a result from the merger of the State Mining Company's & Project in nickel, gold and bauxite based commodity.

ANTAM's President Director Arie Prabowo Ariotedjo said:

"Since our formation in 1968, for 5 decades, ANTAM is committed in mineral downstream industfry in line with the Government's mineral downstream policy in creation of it's mineral added value. Our mineral downstream initiative which began in 1974 following the operations of the FeNi I ferronickel plant. We currently have a diverse mineral processing facilities for nickel, gold, silver and bauxite. We would like to express our appreciation to all of our stakeholders for the continuing support to the Company. We hope ANTAM's performance and contribution will be enhanced in the future to create a positive value for the shareholders and stakeholders."

On nickel downstream operation segment, currently ANTAM had 3 ferronickel smelters with 4 production lines with annual total capacity of 27,000 - 30,000 tonnes of nickel contained in ferronickel (TNi) per annum in Pomalaa, South East Sulawesi. In relation to nickel downstream development project, ANTAM are currently conducting the construction of  the East Halmahera Ferronickel Plant Development Project (P3FH) in East Halmahera, North Maluku. P3FH has an annual production capacity of 13,500 TNi per annum. P3FH will support ANTAM's total ferronickel annual capacity production of 40,500-43,500 TNi.

On gold and refinery operation segment, ANTAM currently conducts  underground gold mines and processing plant in Pongkor, West Java and Cibaliung, Banten. Besides gold mines and processing plant, ANTAM also had the Logam Mulia Precious Metals Processing and Refining business unit, the only gold processing and refinery plant in Indonesia which accredited as Good Delivery List Refiner from London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). ANTAM's gold product meets the international standard purity of 999.9 of gold. To enhance the added value of ANTAM's gold product, the Company has also developed minted-bar with Batik motifs series I & II, jewelry product, the thematic minted-bar edition and launched the gold depository services product called "BRANKAS".

On bauxite commodity, ANTAM currently has a Chemical Grade Alumina (CGA) plant located in Tayan, West Kalimantan. The Tayan CGA plant is operated by PT Indonesia Chemical Alumina with a total production capacity amounted to 300,000 ton alumina per year. Tayan CGA plant is the first CGA plant in South East Asia.  In relation to bauxite downstream development project, ANTAM remains focused on the development plan of the Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery (SGAR) plant. The project is conducted in cooperation with PT INALUM (Persero). The first stage of the plant is expected to have an annual production capacity of 1 million tons of SGA. Through the SGAR project, ANTAM expects to process its vast bauxite reserves while INALUM expects to obtain alumina feed for aluminium processing from domestic source and reduce dependency of alumina imports.

By the end of November 2017, the Government of Indonesia has formed the holding of Industrial Mining Enterprises which calls for the inclusion of INALUM, ANTAM, PT Bukit Asam Tbk and PT Timah Tbk as part of holding member. In 2017, ANTAM receives for the first time, The Gold "PROPER" Award for the sound implementation of environmental management and for the continuous commitment in implementing the best mining practices throughout Company's operation.

ANTAM also has strong commitment to increase Company financial profitability. ANTAM's profitability in 1Q18 rocketed by 3,603% from the Rp6.63 billion net profit for the first quarter of 2017 (1Q17). The solid increase of profitability was also reflected from ANTAM's Earning Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) in 1Q18 which amounted to Rp750.38 billion, an  increased of 95% from Rp385.68 billion for the same period in 2017. In 1Q18 ANTAM's net sales reached Rp5.73 trillion, grew 247% from Rp1.65 trillion in 1Q17.  

ANTAM has a commitment to seek and evaluate existing and potential future opportunities in line with the effort of Company's sustainable growth and commitment to maximize shareholders and stakeholders value.        

• [Editor:王可]