"The reserve could be developed to generate electricity such as in geothermal power plants in West Java."Kolaka (ANTARA News) - The energy and mineral resources ministry said a potential geothermal reserve has been found in the district of Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi Province.
The geothermal reserve was found near nickel mines in Kolaka by the ministry`s researchers, Made Suantika, the head of soil shifting and mitigation division at the ministry, said here.
The surveys by the ministry showed that in addition to nickel and non metal minerals, there were renewable energy resources, Made said.
"The reserve could be developed to generate electricity such as in geothermal power plants in West Java," he said.
He dismissed fears of volcanic disaster in the province especially in the regency of Kolaka, saying there is no such danger as in North Sulawesi.
Kolaka has also been safe from earthquake, he said, adding earthquake is feared only in Kendari and Buton, he said.
The district will most likely be hit only by minor earthquake with magnitude of less than 5.0 on the Richter scale.
Landslides are also very rare in Kolaka as hill forests in that district are still growing with thick wood.
In the past ten years, Kolaka has never been hit by flood disaster, he said.
(Uu.H-ASG/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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