Good News From NTB, Smelter Construction In West Sumbawa Potentially Absorbs 2,000 Workers

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Head of the West Nusa Tenggara Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, Zainal Abidin, said that the construction process of a mineral ore processing plant (smelter) in West Sumbawa Regency is estimated to absorb as many as 2,000 workers.

"About 2,000 workers are needed for the construction of the smelter. There will be many others, such as power plants and other infrastructure," said Zainal in Mataram, quoted from Antara, Monday 10 January.

He said that based on the results of the verification of PT Sucofindo as an independent verifier, the preparation process for the construction of a smelter by PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT) had progressed 27.56 percent.

The ongoing development preparations include land issues, detailed engineering design (DED), and a memorandum of understanding for the construction of a smelter between PT AMNT and a company from China as its business partner.

Zainal added that PT Sucofindo will re-verify in January 2022. The results of the verification will determine the export quota for mining concentrates.

"The plan is to mobilize equipment and personnel for the construction of the camp in January, followed by the construction of a smelter and anode sludge purification facility (PMR) in April 2022 with a target of completion in 2023," he said.

He believes that the smelter construction will actually materialize because PT AMNT as a mining company operating in Batu Hijau, West Sumbawa Regency, has made an agreement with investors from China.

According to Zainal, the presence of a smelter in West Sumbawa Regency can trigger the growth of the derivative industry from processing copper concentrate. There are also other derivative industries from mining mineral ore processing activities, in the form of fertilizers and cement, such as in the smelter in Gresik, East Java.

"The smelter is part of an industrial area in NTB. There will be a lot of added value that will emerge. And the area around the mine site will be able to become a new city," he said.