Jasindo builds manganese smelter in Kupang
Rangga D Fadilah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 02/11/2012 12:59 PM
PT Jasindo Utama has announced its readiness to begin the construction of a manganese smelter in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, with a monthly capacity of 24,000 tons.
The project started in September 2011 and was estimated to cost Rp 1.1 trillion, the company said in a press statement sent to The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
"This manganese smelter is expected to produce high-quality products like ferromanganese and manganese silicon for export," said Jasindo president director Chang Chongching.
In the first phase of development, the smelter will have a total capacity of 3,000 tons per month. In the second and third phases, the capacity will gradually increase to 6,000 tons and 24,000 tons.
Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa led the groundbreaking ceremony. The processing plant will be constructed on 40 hectares of land, and is expected to employ 1,200 workers. The construction's first phase is scheduled to be completed in May 2013, with the second and third phases scheduled for completion in October 2014 and August 2016, respectively.
Chang said Jasindo planned to export the smelter's products to South Korea and other East Asian countries, yielding an estimated annual value of US$3.75 million, while also supplying manganese to the domestic industrial market, including state steel maker PT Krakatau Steel. (dic)
