Name and Location
Timor smelter project, Kupang, Timor.

Client
Gulf Manganese Corporation (GMC).

Project Description
A study on a smelting facility in Timor has validated GMC’s aim to develop a smelting and sales hub for high-carbon ferromanganese alloys in Timor.

Processing will use industry standard, crushing, screening and mechanical jigging processes.

It is estimated that up to 220 000 t/y of local ore will be required, together with 80 000 t of imported manganese ores to meet the smelter feed demands.

The remainder of the locally processed ore will be available for sale to domestic and international manganese markets, where it will obtain a premium price as the highest-grade commercial manganese ore available.

Manganese ore sourced from local Timorese artisanal miners will be delivered to centralised separation facilities.

Separation jigs will be used to wash the local manganese ores prior to smelting or export.

GMC has allowed for up to three jig facilities to process the manganese ores prior to shipment to the smelter for export. Each plant has a capacity of 250 000 t/y of ore production.

Up to two jigs will be installed at each of the three separation facilities.

GMC is proposing to use semiclosed submerged electric arc smelters at a site 12 km from Kupang city, in West Timor.

Ultimately, the smelter facility will consist of up to eight 9 MVA furnaces, each capable of processing 40 000 t/y of ore feed to produce about 18 000 t/y of alloy product.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $201.4-million and an internal rate of return of 45.6%, with a payback of two years.

Value
$67.5-million spread over four years.

Duration
It is envisioned that the first two furnaces will be built during 2015 and come on line in January 2016, with a further two furnaces built each year in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
GMC, tel +61 8 9367 9228 or fax +61 8 9367 9229.