Inco, Antam operate normally

Inco, Antam operate normally

SYDNEY (Dow Jones): Nickel operations at PT International Nickel Indonesia Tbk and PT Aneka Tambang on Sulawesi island, Indonesia, weren't affected by a strong earthquake that hit the island Monday, officials with the two companies told Dow Jones Newswires by telephone.

The officials were dismissing rumors circulating in the nickel market on Monday night that the earthquake had disrupted production.

A strong earthquake struck Central Sulawesi, which is 200 kilometers from the site of a stronger quake and tsunami that hit the island May 4, according to the Associated Press on Monday.

Rumors that the quake had affected some nickel operations sent three-month nickel prices piercing through the US$10,000-a-metric-ton mark during London trade Monday.

At 0140 GMT Tuesday, three-month nickel was trading at US$9,980/ton, having slipped slightly from its late kerb close of US$10,010/ton. Nickel's 15-month high was at US$10,450/ton recorded March 9.