NTT province has gold deposits of over 17 million tons

East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has gold deposits of 17.37 million tons but mining companies are still reluctant to invest in the province due to the lack of infrastructure, according to the local investment coordinating office.

"Based on survey, NTT has gold reserves of 17.37 million tons. But investors are still reluctant to come to the province due to its poor infrastructure," a senior official of the office, Sulyati, told Bisnis Indonesia.

Besides gold deposits, a number of mineral resources such as copper, nickel, marble, zeolit, felspar, dolomit have been also found in the province.

According to Sulyati, at least 17 mine concessions, 17 11 mining exploration permits and three contracts of works have been issued to investors including PT BHP Sumba Mineral, PT Barrick Mutiara Flores and PT North Mining Alor.

"The three mining companies have stopped their activities although they have built some infrastructure in the province," Sulyati added.

According to data provided by the NTT investment coordinating office, PT BHP Sumba Mineral has been awarded a contract of works covering 346,500 hectares in East and West Sumba regencies, PTBarrick Mutiara has a contract of works covering 1,223 million hectares in Manggarai, Ndadam Ende, Sikka and East Flores regencies, while PT North Mining Alor awarded a contract of works covering 643,800 hectares in Alor regency. (*)