New Nickel Smelter in South Kalimantan Expected to Create Thousands of Jobs

TheIndonesia.co - A new nickel smelter in Tanah Bambu regency, South Kalimantan province, is estimated to create at least 1,200 new jobs, mining company Jhonlin Group has confirmed.

The smelter, with production capacity of 40,000 tons per year, will be located in special economic zone (KEK) owned by the group, and it is expected to create employment opportunities in the regency.

“The nickel smelter will be owned by PT Anugerah Barokah Cakrawala and will be built on a 329-hectare land which is part of special economic zone that belongs to Jhonlin Group. Today, the construction started,” Jhonlin Group CEO Ghimoyo said on Monday, July 25, as reported by Antara.

According to him, the smelter will prioritize employing local residents in Tanah Bambu.

Meanwhile, the smelter will process both domestic and imported nickel ores into batteries.

“The source of ores for PT Anugerah Barokah Cakrawala’s smelter are regions in Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and Australia,” Ghimoyo confirmed.

He also revealed that the smelter’s construction costs more than Rp 6 trillion, and it is expected to be completed next year.

Upon its completion, the smelter will become a new addition to a number of industrial facilities located within the area, including a biodiesel plant with a 1,500 tpd (ton per day) production capacity.

In addition, there are also cooking oil manufacturing plant with capacity of 250 tpd and conveyor crusher plant – among other facilities.

Ghimoyo also confirmed that, currently, there are a number of ongoing constructions, including those of plastic and plywood factories, water treatment plant, and a 200 megawatt power plant.

“If the smelter is to absorb 1,200 workers, then the special economic zone will possibly create up to 10,000 jobs,” he concluded.