Chinese investors to build two smelters in Sulawesi

Chinese investors plan to build manganese and nickel smelters in Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.

?The Buton Regency administration has allocated the necessary land for the two smelters,? Regent Syamsu Samiun was quoted Tuesday as saying by a local report.

He added that the Chinese investors have signed MoUs with the local government. He did not disclose the names of the investors.

The government since January of this year has banned the export of mineral ores, forcing miners to build domestic smelters, in a bid to generate greater value from mining commodities. Chinese investors have been among the most aggressive in investing in the local smelter projects. (*)