BACKGROUND

Penjom Gold Mine is the largest producing gold mine in Malaysia and is owned by Indonesian based PT J Resources Nusantara.  The mine is located in Kuala Lipis District, Pahang, 170km from Kuala Lumpur. A trip by road to Penjom may take 2 to 3 hours from Kuala Lumpur. Prior to 1990, mining activity at Penjom was intermittent during 19th and 20th centuries, exploiting oxide ore and alluvial deposit as well as into the deeper part by underground working. Production figure during this period was unknown. However, based on the intensity of old working underground shafts and tailing sand left over in certain areas, the amount of gold extracted must have been quite substantial.

A Rreview of the economic potential of gold by the Pahang State Government in early 1990 led to major exploration work; which succeeded in bringing Penjom back to the world map as the pioneer large scale gold mining in Peninsular Malaysia by applying modern technology. Starting in December 1996, with less than 5 years resources, Penjom continues to grow and reached 1Moz of gold produced in 2007. Through systematic exploration strategy, Penjom is looking to increase the current 1.1Moz resources identified below the current topography.

Penjom is located 30km away from the major tectonic structure of Bentong Raub Suture, along a NNE splay of this structure. The deposits is hosted within shear vein and associated extension veins where the highest ore grade are associated with felsites intrusive which providesd physical and chemical contrast unit. Sedimentary rock host to ore zone is at times highly carbonaceous and produces significant problem to plant processing recovery. However, proper stockpile management and processing technique of Resin-in-Leach (RIL) have overcome this problem with 91% plant recovery achievable depending on the carbon level.