Inalum to purchase alumina from local smelters

By Bambang Atmaja

North Sumatra-based aluminum giant PT Indonesian Asahan Alumunium (Inalum) would purchase the alumina raw material from local smelters after the company is fully taken over by the government.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa said that state-controlled mining firm PT Aneka Tambang and privately-run PT Citra Mineral Investindo will supply the alumina to Inalum to produce aluminum ingot.

The two companies are currently building the smelters to process bauxite into alumina, Hatta said.

Currently, Inalum imports all of the raw materials from overseas.

The government is about fully take over Inalum from Japanese consortium NAA as its 30-year contract in running Inalum will expire at the end of this month.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak