Two workers were killed during clashes between protesters, workers and security guards at the PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI) smelter in Indonesia, over the weekend, reported Reuters.

Production at the nickel smelter, which is owned by China's Jiangsu Delong Nickel Industry, resumed on 17 January, after operations were suspended due to the rioting.

Several company vehicles were torched and about 100 dormitory rooms were damaged in the incident. GNI said it is working with police to investigate the cause of the clashes.

Indonesia's police chief said over 500 police and military personnel have been deployed to secure the nickel smelting facility, and more for reinforcements.

GNI launched the smelter, which has an annual output capacity of 1.8 million tonnes, in late 2021. There are about 11,000 Indonesian workers at GNI's plant and 1,300 foreign personnel, according to Indonesian police.

Source: Reuters