British mine company Rio Tinto plans to invest 1 billion U.S. dollars in Indonesian's Sulawesi island to explore copper and nickel, a company official said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Chief Executive of the company Thomas Albanese said that in cooperation with the Indonesian government, he expects the projects to begin in the next several years.

He said the Indonesian government also expressed support to the projects.

"Through these projects, we may invest 1 billion U.S. dollars," he said, adding the output of the mines would be sold in the international market.

Source: Xinhua