COR begins construction of nickel smelter

Mining company PT Central Omega Resources (COR) Industri Indonesia has started construction of a 300,000-ton per year capacity nickel smelter in Petasia District, North Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi.

Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola officiated the start of the construction Sunday in a ceremony attended by company officials, local government officials, bankers, and representatives of China?s Marconing Group, Antara reported.

The Rp 5.5 trillion smelter, which will produce nickel pig iron, will be developed in three phases. COR President Director Darwanto Bangun said that the first phase 100,000-ton per annum capacity will be completed at the end of this year. The second 100,000 tpa capacity to be completed in the second semester of 2016, and the final phase in 2017.

Each smelter unit will be equipped with a 15 MW power plant generated by exhaust gases.

About 90 percent of the nickel pig iron output will be exported to China, while the remainder to be allocated for the domestic market, Darwanto said. (*)