:: BHP Billiton, Mitsubishi to Build Aluminum Smelter in Malaysia

BHP Billiton and Mitsubishi Corp have announced they are to build an alumimum smelter in the eastern Malaysian state of Sarawak.

The companies said in a statement they have concluded a memorandum of understanding on the project but few other details were released, such as the location of the smelter.

'BHP Billiton expertise in aluminium smelter development and Mitsubishi expertise in infrastructure development will help deliver a world-class smelter industry to Sarawak,' said the statement.

The statement said BHP Billiton and Mitsubishi have successfully developed similar projects together, including the Mozal smelter in Mozambique.

Several other companies, including Australia's Rio Tinto Group, have put forward proposals to build smelters in Sarawak, located on Borneo island, although nothing has been confirmed, reports said.