A nickel-based processing and refining site or smelter will soon be built in Balikpapan City and Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province. The investment value of the project reaches IDR 36.5 trillion.

Deputy Governor of East Kalimantan Province Hadi Mulyadi explained that the first nickel smelter factory was in Balikpapan City, precisely in the Kariangau area with an investment of IDR 6.5 trillion by PT Mitra Murni Perkasa (MMP).

Furthermore, the second smelter factory is located in Penjangan, Sanga Sanga District, Kutai Kartanegara with an investment of IDR 30 trillion by PT Kalimantan Ferro Industry (KFI).

"We believe that the existence of this smelter factory will be able to improve the welfare of the people of East Kalimantan and even Indonesia. From East Kalimantan for Indonesia," said Hadi as quoted by Antara, Tuesday (12/9).

For the Matte Nickel Smelter factory in West Balikpapan, construction has begun, marked by the laying of the first stone by the Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. The plan is that this factory will process battery raw materials.

Meanwhile, for the smelter factory in Kukar, construction will be inaugurated in the near future.

"We are sure that the community and government will fully support the interests and progress of East Kalimantan and Indonesia," he said.

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that the construction of the Matte Nickel Smelter is supporting the battery industry in Indonesia.

"This MMP investment is 100% domestic capital investment. With the hope of realizing a downstream industry that is useful and supports the development of the national battery industry," he explained.

"The target is that by the end of 2024 the factory construction will be completed, operations will continue, as well as the development of derivatives and national battery production," he explained.

Image source: ANTARA FOTO/JOJON/SPT.

Source:  www.katadata.co.id/Nickel Smelter Investment in East Kalimantan Reaches IDR 36.5 Trillion