CHINESE stainless steelmaker Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry assured Indonesia said its potential bankruptcy reorganisation has had no impact on its Indonesia operation so far and the firm will prioritise business stability, a government official told Reuters on Thursday (Aug 1).
A court in China is considering whether to proceed with bankruptcy reorganisation for Jiangsu Delong, China’s third-largest stainless steel producer.
In Indonesia, Delong controls Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry (VDNI), which has an annual production capacity of one million tonnes of ferronickel, and Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI) with 1.9 million tonnes of nickel pig iron annual capacity.
Delong has communicated the company’s financial issue with the Indonesian government and ensured authorities that the issue has no direct impact on their Indonesian operation so far, Industry Ministry senior official Putu Juli Ardika said, adding that they are working with the government to prevent a spillover.
“First, they will ensure the continuity of nickel production and exports, by prioritising the company’s operational stability,” he said.
“Second, they will review and, if necessary, adjust investment strategies to maintain the competitiveness and sustainability of nickel downstream projects in Indonesia.”
Delong was among the first foreign investors into Indonesian nickel processing industry as the world’s biggest exporter of the metal moved to restrict exports ore to prioritise domestic refining.
VDNI and GNI currently employ over 20,000 workers, mainly in their operations on Sulawesi island, Putu said.
VDNI and GNI offices could not be reached for comments. REUTERS
