President Jokowi To Inaugurate Smelter In Morowali

Palu, Central Sulawesi (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is scheduled to inaugurate the operation of a nickel processing plant in Morowali district, Central Sulawesi, on Friday, according to Morowali district head Anwar Hafid.

"We are waiting for a confirmation from the provincial city of Palu, because President Jokowi's main agenda is to visit Morowali and Parigi Moutong on Friday," Anwar said in Morowali on Thursday.

Central Sulawesi is one of the largest nickel producing regions in Indonesia, with approximately 300 mining license holders (IUPs), producing crude nickel (ore) that has been the largest foreign exchange earner for the province in recent years.

Therefore, three nickel smelters in Morowali are being built by
PT Sulawesi Mining Investment, a joint venture between the local firm PT Bintang Delapan Group and China's Tsingshan Holding Group.

Anwar noted that the PT Sulawesi Mining Investment has early this year made production trial of one of the smelters, and everything was running smoothly.

"That is why the president wants to inaugurate the operation of the smelter during his visit to Morowali and Parigi Moutong on Friday," the Morowali district head remarked.

He affirmed that after the president inaugurates the smelter, the company will export nickel to numerous countries. (WDY)