Saudi group eyes marble

JAKARTA (JP): An executive of Saudi Arabia's Dallah group, Leslie M. Boring, said yesterday his company would invest in a large marble plant in Southeast Sulawesi through a joint venture with PT Tiga Utama, a Bakrie Group subsidiary.

He told Antara news agency that Dallah group had sent a team of Italian experts to make a feasibility study in the province.

Boring said the marble plant would be fully integrated to produce international quality marble.

According to the local mining authority's chief, Edison Dyoh, the province's three largest marble deposits were found in Moramo in Kendari regency, Tamborasi in Kolaka regency and on Kabaena island in Buton regency.

The Bakrie Group is spending Rp 30 billion (US$12.7 million) to develop marble deposits in Moramo. (02)