China?s Tianjin Material eyes metal mines in S. Sulawesi

China's mining investor Tianjin Material & Equipment Group Corp. is mulling to explore the potential in mining sector with the main focus on metals in several regencies in South Sulawesi, Bisnis Indonesia reported Wednesday.

The company is planning to invest more than US$10 million in the province.

Tianjin's deputy general manager for exports and imports Wang Gang said his company is targeting the metal mining potential in Sangkaropi area in Tana Toraja regency and Bilolo in Luwu regency.

?We hope that we will get the Analysis of Environmental Impact (Amdal) report soon so that we can commence the exploration activity,? Wang said after meeting with South Sulawesi Governor Amin Syam in Makassar on Tuesday.

?What is important is the problem of permits. In case of access, we are ready to work with the government to overcome this problem,? Wang said.

Meanwhile, South Sulawesi's mining agency Sampara Salman said the potential of base metals was previously explored by state-owned mining company PT Aneka Tambang.

Sampara said the metals that are available in Sangkaropi and Bilolo are iron ore, black tin, copper and nickel. (*)