RI could become mineral ores importer
Tuesday, June 12 2012 - 08:45 AM WIB
Indonesia could become an importer of mineral ores if the government gives approval to hundreds of proposals to develop smelting facilities. Vice Chairman on Trade, Distribution and Logistic at the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Natsir Mansyur said that currently there are more than 160 companies proposing to build smelter in Indonesia.
"Currently there are 7 smelters in operation, 24 more were proposed before the establishment of government regulation number 7 year of 2012, and over 160 prosposals to build new ones are awaiting for approval," Natsir told Petromindo.com
"Imagine, how much actually is our reserve? For Indonesia, 20 smelters are enough, if there are more, we will have to import the raw material indeed," Natsir warned.
Natsir added that the government should design a grand strategy for managing the downstream aspects of mineral mining.
The development of processing and smelting facilities is part of 2009 Mining Law requirement amimed at increasing the added value of mined mineral materials.
Editing by Adianto P. Simamora