Japan eyes Buton asphalt

JAKARTA (JP): A Japanese investor plans to spend Rp 250 billion (US$106 million) developing an asphalt mine in Buton regency, Southeast Sulawesi, according to the local governor.

Governor La Ode Kaimoeddin said in the province's capital of Kendari over the weekend that the Japanese investor, who wanted to remain anonymous, had contacted the local administration and promised to send a team of researchers to Buton soon.

The existing asphalt mines in Buton are being run separately by state-owned PT Sarana Karya and PT Amerta Mardayasa Aspal, which has Australian backing.

The province wants more companies to tap Buton's asphalt deposits, the governor told Antara.

There are 160 million tons of asphalt deposits in Buton, which has an annual asphalt output of 3.5 million tons, he said.

Kaimoeddin said asphalt production was growing after a sharp drop several years ago.

The two asphalt producers in Buton use sophisticated technology to produce good quality asphalt.

Vietnam and other Asian countries have acknowledged the quality of their asphalt and are planning to buy it. (jsk)