Jakarta, Oct. 27 -- PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum) said processing bauxite into aluminum could increase the mineral's value while boosting state revenue, employment, and regional economic growth.

Arif Haendra, the company's director of corporate strategy, business development, and commercial, said bauxite is processed into alumina and then aluminum and other higher-value products.

"Bauxite priced at $40 a metric ton can fetch about US$400 as alumina, a roughly tenfold increase," Haendra said in remarks cited in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Processing bauxite into alumina costs about US$250 to US$300 a metric ton. At an alumina price of US$400, the difference is US$100 to US$150 before other costs.

Alumina priced at about US$400 a metri...