Inco continues investing in Indonesia
Tuesday, June 27 2000 - 03:15 AM WIB
Canada-based nickel miner PT International Nickel Indonesia (Inco) has expressed its commitment to continuing its investment in Indonesia despite the non-technical barriers plaguing its nickel mining operation in the country, according to State Minister of Investment and State Enterprises Development Rozy Munir.
Rozy said that in his meeting with the management of Inco in Toronto, Canada, on June 7, Inco directors assured him that the company would continue with its investment in Indonesia, especially in Southeast Sulawesi.
"The management of Inco has given its assurance to me to continue its investment in Indonesia, in relation with the completion of its planned expansion project worth US$600 million in Southeast Sulawesi," Rozy said in a written report on his overseas trips.
Meanwhile, Rozy said that the management of Inco expressed its concerns over its disagreement with the governor of the Southeast Sulawesi province over "technical matters" of its mining operation there.
In the report, Rozy said he would communicate with the governor over the matter.
Meanwhile, Inco president & CEO Rumengan Musu said earlier that the company's nickel matte production volume in the first quarter of this year reached 13,600 tons, or 23 percent higher than 10,400 tons recorded in the same period of last year, but lower than 14,200 tons recorded in the fourth quarter of last year.
Musu said that the company's nickel production in the first quarter of this year was affected by landslide in its mining operation. (*)