Nickel smelter of PT Vale Tbk
• 28 Jan 2014
A general view of the digging of raw nickel ore near Sorowako (REUTERS/Yusuf Ahmad)
The nickel melting process at a nickel smelter of PT Vale Tbk, near Sorowako
Indonesia's ban on exports of key mineral ores - unless they are processed in the country - risks backfiring as weaker commodity prices mean it is not cost-effective to invest in expensive smelters and refineries.