Japan eyes Buton asphalt

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)