REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KENDARI -- The nickel mining operations in the region still continued following the implementation of the mining law, which bans the export of raw materials as of January 12, stated Southeast Sulawesi Governor Nur Alam.
"The mining process still continues, though the export of nickel ores has stopped," he noted here on Tuesday.
He pointed out that the companies are not prohibited from conducting mining operations, but they are not permitted to export ores.
"Companies are required to build smelting plants, if they want to continue their mining business," he explained.
He pointed out that a company can work in cooperation with other firms, in order to build a smelting plant if it is unable to build it independently.
According to the governor, a funding of around Rp200 billion is required to build a simple nickel smelting plant.
"The burden will be lesser if several companies joined hands to build a plant, as long as they are committed to the cause," he stated.
He noted that currently, only one smelting plant has been built in the region, besides the one owned by PT Antam in the district of Konawe.
"More smelting plants are scheduled to be inaugurated in the Konawe Utara and Kabaena Island," he added.
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