Timah to soon start nickel mining

By Thomas R. Sembiring

IDX-listed tin giant PT Timah Tbk will soon start nickel mining activities at its concession on Kabaena Island, in Bombana Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, after having been previously delayed due to unfavorable industry situation.

?God Willing, mining will start in June,? said Timah President Director Sukrisno on Thursday.

He said that the nickel production would be purchased by domestic buyers. ?We have won the contracts and commitment from local buyers,? he added, but fell short of disclosing the names of the buyers and other details.

The domestic tin mining industry has been severely hit by the government?s export ban policy introduced earlier in 2014, a measure aimed at pushing miners to develop domestic smelters that are expected to provide greater added value from the mineral commodity for the country.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak