Smelter Ready To Produce, Jusuf Kalla Shows 80 Percent Of The Original Manpower Luwu

The 10th and 12th Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) monitors the process of melting nickelore into ferronicles in Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) monitors the process of melting nickelore into ferroicles managed by PT Bumi Mineral Sulawesi (BMS) in Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi.

Dalam pantauan tersebut, JK cukup bangga karena Smelter milik perusahaan Kalla Group sudah mulai berproduksi setelah menjalani proses pembangunan dalam lima tahun terakhir.

"This was built in the last five years and we see the results have started to produce," said JK in his statement to the media, Tuesday, April 23.

On the same occasion, JK also revealed that this smelter uses domestic workers.

In fact, 80 percent came from the sons of the Luwu area and its surroundings. Meanwhile, 20 percent came from several regions including Java.

JK explained that the production results from PT BMS were quite good and clean. The reason is, the smelter uses energy hydro power.

The smelter, located in Bua District, is one of two Smelters in South Sulawesi that uses hydro power.

"With this energy source from water, the production results can be accepted in European and American countries," he said

The plan, continued JK, is that PT BMS will hold a soft launch in August 2024. Currently, PT BMS has employed 1500 workers.

Furthermore, JK also revealed that PT BMS is currently building the second Smleter. Later, JK will also ensure that PT BMS will rebuild its third and fourth smelters in the next two years.

"Dengan pengembangan tersebut akan membuka ribuan lapangan kerja bagi masyarakat Sulawesi Selatan dan Indonesia," lanjut dia.

JK said the factory production target was 33,000 to 36,000 tons per year. And currently, the construction of a 2-factories for nickel sulfate raw materials for the manufacture of electric car batteries is 40 percent, estimated to start operating normally by the end of 2024.

Meanwhile, every smelter built requires at least 1000 workers. JK ensures that all of its smelters prioritize domestic workers.

"It is possible that it will only use workers from China in the consultant department," concluded JK.