Sangata, E Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Bakrie Group plans to build a metal plant on 20,000 hectares of land in East Kutai, East Kalimantan, in cooperation with a Chinese investor.

"Bakrie Group is eager to choose East Kutai as the location for the metal plant out of consideration that it is close to coal mine belonging to PT Bumi Resources which is also a member of Bakrie Group," East Kutai District Head Isran Noor said here on Sunday.

He said the land for the construction of the metal plant had been prepared in Lebuk Tutung area in Bengalon and Kaliorang subdistricts. "It is in the process of land clearance," he said.

The construction of the metal plant was expected to be completed in 2013, he said.

The Chinese investor agreed to invest US$2 billion in the project in return for coal supplies of 25 million tons per year from PT Arutmin and KPC owned by Bakrie Group, he said.

He said the metal plant was expected to export its products to the United States, China, Japan and other countries.

Bakrie Group is also expected to build fertilizer and chemical plants in East Kutai, he said without elaborating. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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