Dahlan Wants 2 Inalum Projects to Start This Year

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State Owned Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan asked the directors of Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum) to immediately kick off the constructions of aluminum smelters and steam power plants. For the smelter grade alumina project, Inalum will be working with Aneka Tambang (IDX: ANTM) to set up a factory in Mempawah, West Kalimantan. The project's investment is estimated at US$1.7 billion.

According to Dahlan, the construction of aluminum smelters is an urgency, as the smelters will help meet Inalum's demand for raw material supply. Of the 1.6 million-ton smelter capacity, Inalum requires only 500,000 to 600,000 tons per year. "The remainder of the supply could be exported to the Middle East," he said in Jakarta, yesterday.

Inalum is also asked to produce products other than aluminum ingots or bars. "In the future, there will be two different types of products needed by the domestic industry," said Dahlan.

To speed up the smelter project, Dahlan has Winardi as Inalum's new managing director replacing Sahala Hasoloan Sijabat.   

In addition to developing the smelter project, said Dahlan, Inalum is also asked to finish its 3x200-megawatt steam power plant project in Kuala Tanjung, an investment worth some Rp20 trillion.  

MARIA YUNIAR | ALI HIDAYAT | DEWI RINA CAHYANI