Dahlan: Papua Cement Plant Powered By Baliem Hydropower Plant

TEMPO Interactive, Wamena:Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Dahlan Iskan said Indonesias largest cement producer Semen Gresiks plan to invest in a cement factory in the Jayawijaya Mountains in Papua will be supported by the construction of a hydropower plant (PLTA) in Baliem."I asked and they welcomed it," said Dahlan in Jayawijaya, Papua, Wednesday, August 1, 2012.According to Dahlan, the construction of the hydropower plant will facilitate the cement plant operations in Papua, especially the Jayawijaya Mountains. "So much of the power can be used in the future," said Dahlan.Jayawijaya Mountains have a high lime content making such an opportunity wide open. "I cant promise (a factory will certainly be built), but I'll try," said Dahlan. The construction of the cement plant will add value to the Baliem hydropower project.Dahlan has also asked the local governments to identify the location of clay, an important raw material for cement, in the Jayawijaya Mountains. "Usually, its found in an area with ​​high chalk content. So Ive asked the local authorities to find the locations," he said.A research team from Semen Gresik will soon be sent to Papua to explore the possibilities of building the plant. "If theres electricity, the rest (plant construction) will follow," Dahlan said.The arrival of Semen Gresik will be very positive for the economy of Papua, making it unnecessary for it to bring in cement from other islands at a relatively high price. "So, the cement is guaranteed to be in high demand," he said.The presence of a cement plant in Papua would attract the interest of the Papuan people. "Nobody would want to bring cement from outside if theres factory here," said Dahlan.In the meantime, PT PLN (Persero) will invest Rp4.6 trillion in a power plant with a capacity of 50 megawatts, taking advantage of the potential of the Baliem River, Papua Province. DIMAS SIREGAR