Indonesia has several iron ore processing plants, primarily located in regions with significant iron ore deposits. Here are some key locations and companies involved in iron ore processing in Indonesia:
1. South Sulawesi (Sorowako, Luwu)
– PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (formerly PT Inco)
– Operates a nickel processing plant in Sorowako, but also handles iron ore by-products from laterite nickel processing.
– Produces ferronickel and may process iron-rich slag.
2. Central Kalimantan
– PT Sebuku Iron Lateritic Ores (SILO Group)
– Located on Sebuku Island, South Kalimantan.
– Processes lateritic iron ore into iron nuggets and pig iron.
– Exports high-grade iron products.
3. West Sumatra
– PT Semen Padang & other local miners
– Some small-scale iron ore processing for local steel industries.
4. East Java (Gresik)
– PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk
– Indonesia’s largest integrated steel producer.
– Processes imported and domestic iron ore into sponge iron (DRI), slabs, and billets.
– Works with local miners for raw material supply.
5. Southeast Sulawesi (Konawe)
– Some nickel smelters (e.g., PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry) process limonite laterite ores, which contain significant iron content.
Key Notes:
– Indonesia mainly exports raw nickel and bauxite but restricts raw iron ore exports to promote domestic processing.
– Most large-scale plants focus on lateritic or nickel-associated iron ores rather than hematite/magnetite.
– Government policies encourage downstream processing to support the domestic steel industry.
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