TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has stated that Australia will export lithium to Indonesia. The commodity is planned to be processed in Morowali, Central Sulawesi.

Luhut revealed this information through his official Instagram account @luhut.pandjaitan after accompanying President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo to Australia.

"They [the Australian government] have also agreed that the 60,000 tons of lithium they export to Indonesia will be processed in Morowali," Luhut said in a video he uploaded on Thursday, July 6, 2023. "So, now we have lithium."

Luhut mentioned that he then asked if an additional 60,000 tons of lithium could be added, with Australia actively participating in the project. Therefore, according to Luhut, the project is a joint effort.

"They agreed to it. I think something like this has never happened before," said Luhut.

On a different occasion, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Arifin Tasrif, stated that the government hopes for synergy with Australia due to their proximity.

Arifin explained that lithium is needed to make batteries. Meanwhile, Indonesia already possesses other minerals for battery components, such as nickel and cobalt.

"We have most of it, there are some that we don't have, and others are willing to cooperate. We are trying to make these matches happen," Arifin said when met at his office in Central Jakarta on Friday, July 7, 2023.

AMELIA RAHAMI SARI

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