PT Sumbawa Timur Mining discovers copper-gold deposit

STM is the owner of the Hu’u Project 7^th generation Contract of Work (CoW) in the Nusa Tenggara Barat Province, Indonesia. The company is a joint venture between Eastern Star Resources Pty Ltd (80%), a 100%-owned subsidiary of Vale SA, and PT Antam Tbk (20%).

STM has been conducting exploration activities within the Hu’u Project CoW since 2010. The Onto deposit was discovered in August 2013 and, since that time, 64 diamond drill holes (equivalent to 61 000 m) have been drilled to determine the size, extent and characteristics of the deposit. The December 2019 STM resource estimate reports a total indicated resource of 0.76 billion t @ 0.93% copper and 0.56 g/t gold, and a total inferred resource of 0.96 billion t @ 0.87% copper and 0.44 g/t gold. This equates to a total of 1.7 billion t @ 0.89% copper and 0.49 g/t gold. In addition to these resources, an exploration target of 0.6 - 1.7 billion t @ 0.2 - 0.7% copper and 0.1 - 0.3 g/t gold has been defined surrounding the resource. STM will continue diamond drilling within and surrounding this Onto deposit to determine the margins and depth extent of the mineralisation.

President Director of STM, Mr Bede Evans, stated: “The Onto deposit discovery demonstrates the value and opportunity associated with the Hu’u Project. With the project now in the feasibility study in exploration stage, the company looks forward to advancing the project with the aim of developing a world-class mining operation.”

The successful conclusion of negotiations on 7 May 2019 with the government of Indonesia on an Amendment to the CoW provides a basis for the company to continue feasibility study and resource drilling activities. With this CoW Amendment in place, the company is now committed to confirming the technical and economic feasibility of an underground block cave mining operation.

STM Vice-President Director, Mr Bronto Sutopo, reaffirmed the commitment of the company and its shareholders: “The amended CoW in 2019 and the Onto discovery allows the Hu’u Project to advance. It is encouraged by the strong collaborative relationship developed with the government of Indonesia, and is believed that a firm foundation is set for the continued development of the Hu’u Project.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/25022020/pt-sumbawa-timur-mining-discovers-copper-gold-deposit/