Jakarta, Indonesia: 19 February 2020. PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM or the Company) is pleased to announce the discovery of the Onto copper-gold deposit, a world-class discovery that positions the company to be a leading copper producer in Indonesia. STM is the owner of the Hu’u Project 7th generation Contract of Work (CoW) in 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 61,000m) 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 tonnes (Bt) @ 0.93% Cu and 0.56 g/t Au and a total Inferred resource of 0.96 Bt @ 0.87% Cu and 0.44 g/t Au. This equates to a total of 1.7 Bt @ 0.89% Cu and 0.49 g/t Au. In addition to these resources, an exploration target of 0.6-1.7 Bt @ 0.2-0.7% Cu and 0.1-0.3 g/t Au 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.
STM confirmed the Company’s enthusiasm with the Onto discovery. 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, we look 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 STM and its shareholders, “The amended CoW in 2019 and the Onto discovery allows the Hu’u Project to advance. We are encouraged by the strong collaborative relationship developed with the Government of Indonesia and believe that a firm foundation is set for the continued development of the Hu’u Project.”
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About PT Sumbawa Timur Mining – PT STM
PT Sumbawa Timur Mining (STM) is a joint venture between Eastern Star Resources Pty Ltd (80%), a 100%-owned subsidiary of Vale SA, and PT Antam Tbk (20%). Established in 1998, STM became the owner of the Hu’u Project 7th generation Contract of Work (CoW) and Geothermal Preliminary & Exploration Survey Assignment in Hu’u District, Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The CoW area covers 19,260 hectares in Dompu Regency and Bima Regency. Currently, PT STM is conducting mineral exploration activities to realize its vision in becoming a world-class copper mine powered by renewable energy.
For further information, please contact Sumbawa Timur Mining Team