Indonesia's state-owned diversified miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) is targetting a 162 percent jump in nickel ore sales next year to 11 million tonnes from an estimated 4.2 million tonnes this year, its chief executive said on Wednesday.

Of that amount approximately 3.9 million tonnes will be exported while the remainder will be sold domestically, including to Antam's own smelters, Arie Prabowo Ariotedjo told Reuters in a text message.

"Domestic (nickel ore) sales this year were minimal," Ariotedjo said, noting that in 2018 its local subsidiary, PT GAG Nikel, is expected to begin "full production" of ferronickel.

Antam is aiming for a 17 percent increase in ferronickel sales to 26,000 tonnes from a projected 22,300 tonnes this year, he said.

• [Editor:tianmichai]