Celebes Mineral to commence production of nickel ores next year

By Cepi Setiadi

PT Celebes Mineral is expecting to commence its nickel ore production from its mine in Halmahera, North Maluku next year.

Punjul Prabowo, Commissioner of PT Celebes Mineral told Petromindo.com on the sideline of 2nd Asia Nickel Conference in Bali today that the company expected to produce about 100,000 tons of nickel ores monthly.

"For the first year we expect at least 600,000 tons but later on we expect to produce at least one million ton annualy, we expect to start production in January (next year)," he said.

The company is currently still on the exploration process and building the infrastructure at the mine site.

Punjul added that the nickel ore will be exported to China as the company is doing the negotiation with the off-taker candidate from China.

Celebes Mineral has concessions in Halmahera and in Morowali, Central Sulawesi.

Editing by Adianto P. Simamora