Uncertainty Grips Indonesia's Mineral Sector, As Smelter Projects Amass

As the 2014 dateline on raw metal ore export ban draws closer, Bumi Resources Tbk (BUMI.JK) is planning to build a $1.5 billion polymetallic smelter in Medan, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This is to guarantee the smelting of metal concentrates expected from a planned underground lead-zinc-silver mine being developed by its 80% subsidiary, PT Dairi Prima Mineral (DPM).