Jakarta,     - The Indonesian government plans to invest up to US$2.502 billion in the general mining sector namely minerals, coal and geothermal in 2010, an official said here on Tuesday.

   The director general of mineral resources, coal and geothermal mining of the ministry of mineral resources and energy, Bambang Setiawan, said the target was higher than last year's  US$1.812 billion.

   "The improving global economy is increasing mining investment," he said.

   He said investments in 2010 would come from working contract holders worth US$1.216 billion, coal mining exploitation working contracts worth US$860 million, mining concessionaires of central and regional state-owned companies reaching US$43.53 million and geothermal concessionaires worth US$382.5 million.

   The target of investments for 2011 in general mining and geothermal projects is expected to reach US$3.077 billion, for 2012 US$5.008 billion, for 2013 US$4.68 billion and for 2014 US$7.468 billion.

   "Accumulatively investments from 2010 to 2014 will reach US$22.736 billion," he said.

   Bambang said in 2010 coal production was expected to reach 250 million tons for domestic consumption (75 million tons) and exports (175 million tons).

   Copper production meanwhile is expected to reach 1.017 million tons in 2010, gold 115,998 kilograms, silver 261,897 kilograms, tin 105,000 tons and nickel in matte 77,700 tons.

   Production of nickel ore is set at 11,064 million tons for the year, ferro-nickel 18,276 metric tons, bauxite 10.284 million metric tons, diamond 96,000 carat, iron ore 4.125 million metric tons and granite 2.029 million cubic meters.

   Realization of coal production in 2009 reached 254 million tons and 56 million tons of it was for domestic consumption and the rest for exports.

   Realization of copper production in the year reached 868,171 tons, gold 105,404 kilograms, silver 232,064 kilograms, tin 105,000 tons, bauxite 10.083 million metric tons, iron ore 4.044 million metric tons, nickel ore 10.847 million tons, nickel in matte 63, 548 tons, ferro nickel 17,917 metric tons and granite 1.99 million cubic meters.

   Coal exports in 2010 are expected to reach 175 million tons, copper 915,254 tons, gold 104,399 kilograms, silver 235,708 kilograms, nickel in matter 69,930 tons, tin 94.500 tons, nickel ore 9.957 million tons, ferro nickel 16,448 metric tons, bauxite 9.256 million metric tons, iron ore 3.712 million metric tons and granite 1.826 million cubic meters.

   Realization of coal exports in 2009 reached 198 million tons, copper 781,300 tons, gold 94,900 kilograms, silver 208,900 kilograms, nickel in matte 57,200 tons, tin 94,500 tons, nickel ore 9.762 million tons, ferro-nickel 16,100 metric tons, bauxite 9.075 million metric tons, iron ore 3.67 million metric tons and granite 1.791 million cubic meters.

-Antara, 06 January 2010-