Chinese-Indonesia JV firm to build nickel smelter in Sulawesi

PT Arga Morini Indah, a joint venture between an Indonesian and Chinese firms, plan to build a nickel smelter in Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi.

Bantaeng Regency government said in a statement, as reported by Inilah.com, that Amir, top executive of PT Arga Morini, and executives from Arga Morini shareholders, including General Manager of PT Meta Indonesia, William Chu and Chairman of Taizhou Huadi Industrial Co. Ltd, Wang Jueqin, had visited Bantaeng Industrial area.

Spokesperson of PT Arga Morini Indah, Lili, said the nickel smelter will process nickel ore taken from Kabaena area, in Southeast Sulawesi Province. The nickel ore will be transported via sea. For this reason, Arga Morini also plans to build a special port in the nearby area.

Lili said the smelter would have a capacity to process between 700 to 900 metric tons of nickel ore per annum that would result in 50,000 tons of nickel.

The project is expected to require electricity of between 20 to 100 MW.

Regency Secretary H.M. Yasin said the Regency government welcomes Arga Morini?s plan to invest in constructing a smelter plant in Bantaeng. The local government would do all it can to help realize the plan, including speeding up the permit procedures. (*)