Khaidir, president director of PT Gag Nikel, a subsidiary of PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM), said that the company is currently conducting a feasibility study. Upon completion of the feasibility study, the company will immediately apply for an environmental permit to be able to increase its production capacity.

The company planned to increase its annual production capacity to 4 million wet tons by 2023, which was expected to be a 33% increase over the current production of 3 million wet tons. The company said the additional 33% capacity is still in line with government-defined restrictions on mining production areas on small islands.