Rio Tinto to proceed with Indonesia's Lasamphala Nickel Project

PT Rio Tinto Indonesia will start this year work in its $1.93 billion nickel mining project in Lasamhala in the border area of Central and Southeast Sulawesi provinces. Company spokesman Budi Irianto said the Indonesia units of Rio Tinto Limited has set aside fund for investment this year. The mine is expected to produce around 46,000 t/y of nickel when it starts operation to be raised later to 100,000 t/y.

The Mines Minsistry's Director General of Mineral, Coal and Geothermal,  Bambang Setiawan, said he had provided the license recommendation for Rio Tinto, Antara newsagency reported.