Jakarta, Sept. 12 -- Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia confirmed that the permitting process for a major bauxite-to-alumina downstreaming project by Russian aluminum giant Rusal in Kalimantan is nearing its final stage.

"They are going to build a downstreaming facility to process bauxite into alumina. It will be located in Kalimantan. The permitting process is already in the near-final stage," Lahadalia stated in Jakarta on Friday.

He explained that the Indonesian government is collaborating on the project's overall development, while Rusal will partner directly with domestic private companies.

However, the minister has not disclosed the identity of Rusal's local partners or the project's exact investment va...