Shaanxi Xingwang wants to develop smelter in Sulawesi

China?s Shaanxi Xingwang Investment Holding Co Ltd has expressed interest to develop a ferronickel smelter in Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi.

This was said by Director General of Metal Industry at the Ministry of Industry I Gusti Putu Suryawirawan, as quoted by Kontan, following a meeting Monday with visiting Shaanxi Xingwang President Ying Hu Wang.

Putu said that the Chinese firm would realize its investment plan as long as there is guarantee for supply of nickel ores.

The statement comes following reports Monday that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is considering to lift or relax the current export ban on mineral ores including nickel to help some miners raise export proceeds to finance the development domestic smelter projects. Others particularly those who have invested in smelter projects protested the plan, saying that it would undermine supply of ores for existing domestic smelter projects. (*)