Antam to build new smelter

JAKARTA (JP): State-owned nickel and gold mining company PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) said on Wednesday that it planned to build a US$180 million smelter next year to boost its annual nickel production to 24,000 tons from 11,000 tons.

The company said it had selected the German-based Tessag AG to construct the smelter in Pomalaa, South Sulawesi.

Aneka Tambang, listed at the Jakarta Stock Exchange, expect construction to begin in the first half of 2001, and to be completed by the second quarter of 2003.

The state company had initially scheduled the project to be commenced in 1998, but was forced to delay progress due to the economic crisis. (bkm)