Minister Of Industry Agus: There Are 91 Smelters In Indonesia, 48 Of Which Have Cooperated

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that there are around 91 smelters currently owned by Indonesia.

Of these, 48 of them have officially operated.

"Based on data from the Ministry of Industry as of February 1, 2023, there are 91 smelters in Indonesia. The details are 48 are already operational and others are in the feasibility study or construction stage," Agus said in a working meeting with Commission VII DPR RI in Jakarta, Tuesday, February 14.

Agus said, Central Sulawesi became the area with the highest number of smelters, namely 25 smelters.

Then, the second most positions are in Maluku, with a total of 22 smelters, 12 North Sulawesi, and 10 West Kalimantan smelters.

"There are 34 smelters located in various provinces throughout Indonesia," he said.

According to Agus, the construction of a smelter is being boosted by the government for downstreaming.

Currently, commodities that are the focus of the Ministry of Industry include copper ore-based, iron seeds, iron sand, nickel industry for battery raw materials, bauxite-based industries, and monocycite-based industries.

"As for other potential sources, such as earth metals," he explained.

Agus added, as many as 48 smelters that have been operating also contributed investment to the country and absorbed significant workers.

First, nickel smelters which have a production capacity of 262,560 tons with a total investment of IDR 5.55 trillion and employment of up to 2,337 people.

"A steel smelter has a production capacity of 1.6 million tons with a total investment of IDR 15.96 trillion, employment of 2,729 people. A copper smelter has a production capacity of 150,000 tons with an investment of IDR 266 billion, an absorption of 525 workers," he said.

"Finally, the aluminum smelter has a production capacity of 544,563 tons, investments that have entered Rp. 15.66 trillion and employment of 1,893 people," he concluded.