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.