The value of investment in the basic metals sector in the country is estimated to exceed US $ 12 billion (Rp 141,78triliun) in 2014, growing 50% from last year amounted to US $ 8 billion. This occurred following the enactment of the ban on export of raw mineral.

'This year, interest in incoming investment grew 50%. You could say there is a potential investment of US $ 12 billion in the base metals sector through exploration this year. But, it still recorded as interest. They were willing to invest, they look around, especially in the field of nickel and bauxite, "said Director of Basic Metal Industry DG Manufacturing Industry Base (BIM) of the Ministry of Industry (Ministry of Industry) Budi Darmadi after the opening of the Exhibition Industry Materials Metal Products in Jakarta, Tuesday ( 10/6).

Budi said the investment interest in the base metals sector in the country continue to rise. That, following the export ban of raw mineral mining products, thus encouraging investors to menbangun processing and refining plant (smelter) and the processing industry in Indonesia.

"Last year, there minerba-based investment plan worth US $ 8 billion, which is to membangt n smelter, there is the blast furnace as well as Mount Gahapi. Of interest, during the quarter 1-2014 already invested it amounted to US $ 1, 7 billion, "he added.

Based on the record of Investor Daily, a number of investors who merealisaiskan development of integrated metals industry this year including, PT Gahapi NISCO with a capacity of 500 thousand tons of wire rod and rebar in Medan, North Sumatra, as well as special steel mill PT Rested Industry .Indonesia in Batam. In addition, a number of investors who expressed interest in investment is WISCO, Sebuku Group, the aluminum project plan worth US $ 2 billion by investors from Guangxi, China, and Press Metal Bhd from Malaysia who will build an alumina smelter in Borneo.

Besides alumina, nickel and bauxite, said Budi, interest in investing in copper processing also grew. However, investment in metal products is more minimal.

"If the copper is still in talks. Investment in the copper business is indeed a little margin. But, we still need the copper processing industry. Outside the building has many similar industries," said Budi.

As is known, one of the companies that are planning to build a copper processing industry in Indonesia is PT Indosmelt. The company will build a copper concentrate processing with a production capacity of about 500 thousand tons in Maros, South Sulwesi.

Earlier, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Industrial Bantaeng (Bantaeng Industrial Park / BIP) Vince Gowan stated, BIP is expected to attract investment of US $ 5 billion or Rp 55 trillion. The total investment will be disbursed number of companies from China.

BIP is developed by Regency (Regency) Bantaeng, South Sulawesi (Sulawesi). Pemkab targeting BIP become the largest integrative mineral industrial zones in the province. BIP ready to accommodate the massive expansion of Chinese companies into Indonesia.

Vince stated about four nickel and iron ore will operate in BIP next year. PT Titan Mineral Utama and Huadi Group will bring the equipment in July and September 2014.

"Construction of the project takes about 1.5 years. After that, other investors will follow to build a smelter in BIP," said Vince, recently.

Expansion

In addition to the new investments, continued Budi, a number of existing industries also intend to expand. Because, after the ban on the export of raw materials, supply of raw materials is more easily obtained. Although admittedly, most of the raw material requirements have to be imported.

"The interest in expansion of existing industry, are being overwhelmed by the difficulty of finding land," said Budi. Despite increased interest in investment and consumption, Budi estimates, the growth of the national basic metal industry in 2014 is only about 10-11%. The growth rate slowed from that achieved in 2013, which grew by 13%.

"The investments that the new entry. Meanwhile, government expenditure is rather low. Therefore, a lower growth this year," said Budi.

Kemenperin projecting, Indonesia could save foreign exchange up to US $ 10.17 billion in 2017 through the construction of a new smelter and the industrial processing of mineral-based goods in the country. Smelters are projected to increase production capacity in the country, so as to reduce the importation of processed products based on mineral mining products.