Indo Mines successfully manufactures first iron ingots

Australian-listed Indo Mines Ltd announces on Thursday that the company has successfully manufactured the first iron ingots from the company's Indonesian iron sand concentrate in Jogjakarta using the Outotec Ausiron? smelting process.

Outotec is conducting a series of smelting trials using Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) produced from Jogjakarta iron concentrate to quantify the potential of producing one million tons of pig iron a year.

The test work is being undertaken at the Outotec Auslron? pilot smelting furnace in Dandenong, Victoria, Australia and the results will assist in the preparation of a conceptual plant design and capital estimates for the pig iron facility.

Outotec is a leading global provider of process solutions, technologies and services for the mining and metallurgical industries.

The company recently announced completion of a two million tons iron concentrate feasibility study.

?The casting of our first iron ingots is an enormous step forward for Indo Mines. It clearly demonstrates the company?s commitment to be the leading supplier of iron concentrate and pig iron to the growing Indonesian steel industry,? said Indo Mines Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Martin Hacon.(romel)