"For decades, (titanium), which is a tin-associated mineral, has been exported just like that, so the high added value is enjoyed by other countries," Kartasasmita remarked while inaugurating the titanium smelter in Batu Rusa Village here on Thursday.
He expressed pride over the first titanium smelter in Indonesia while affirming that the downstream potential of tin-associated minerals in Bangka Belitung Islands is huge.
"There are so many minerals derived from tin that can be downstreamed, one of which is titanium," he remarked.
According to Kartasasmita, the launch of PT Bersahaja Sahabat Jaya's titanium smelter in Batu Rusa Village, Merawang, Bangka District, marked Indonesia's revival to boost the downstreaming of raw materials.
"Thank God, this company will also develop the downstreaming of titanium products in the future," he remarked.
Related news: Expand downstream industry outside mineral, coal mining sector: Jokowi
President Director of PT Bersahaja Sahabat Jaya Aria Ardi noted that the new smelter is expected to be a milestone in mineral downstreaming in Bangka Belitung Islands.
"There are still many tin-associated minerals that we can downstream into products in order to advance this region and country," he remarked.
The processing of downstream products aims to contribute greater income to the state from the mining sector.
Apart from titanium, other tin-associated minerals, include zirconium, monazite, and ilmenite.
Meanwhile, the government has been bolstering its downstream policy to increase the added value of products and strengthen the country's external balance in global trade.
Titanium production has enormous economic potential in the world market, as it is a raw material for jewelry, mobile phones, and surgical tools.
Related news: No country can stop Indonesia's downstreaming policy: Jokowi
Translator: Aprionis, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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