This would allow the nickel processing facility to use the sulphuric acid generated from the copper smelting process, Richard Adkerson said during an interview.
“Indonesia has strong partners with Chinese companies in the nickel business, and there’s an opportunity that has arisen to construct a smelter in connection with a nickel mine and processing facility so the sulphuric acid could be used,” he told the virtual Fastmarkets Copper Seminar.
“We are working very cooperatively with the government on this as we pursue it,” he added.
Adkerson did not name the third-party Chinese company, but local Indonesian media recently reported that Freeport’s Indonesian unit, PT-FI, is
finalizing an agreement with China’s Tsingshan Holding Group, the world’s largest stainless steel producer, to construct the smelter in Weda Bay, in the province of North Maluku.
Tsingshan has a number of operations in Indonesia including a 57% stake in a...
