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Chinese investors to build smelters in Sulawesi
Chinese investors are set to develop manganese and nickel ore smelters in Buton regency, Southeast Sulawesi
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Chinese investors are set to develop manganese and nickel ore smelters in Buton regency, Southeast Sulawesi.
"The local government has prepared areas in Buton for the two smelters," Buton Regent Syamsu Samiun said in Pasarwajo, Southeast Sulawesi, on Tuesday as quoted by Antara news agency. He declined to name the companies that would work on the projects.
He said memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Buton regency and the investors was signed a couple of weeks ago.
Both projects are expected to accelerate economic development in the regency and improve locals' welfare, especially those living near the mining areas.
"The smelter projects will have an economic multiplier effect in Buton," he added.
In January, the central government imposed a ban on the export of raw minerals with the aim of generating more benefits of mining wealth for the nation.
However, it has created anxiety in international mineral markets.
Before the ban, the country was the world's top nickel ore exporter and the largest bauxite supplier to China, accounting for 12 percent of the global market in both instances.
(nfo)
