Investment Minister Denies Indonesia Nickel Reserves Won't Last Long

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Investment or Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia denied rumors that the country’s nickel reserves would only last 9 to 13 years. He claimed there are still many lands loaded with nickel deposits in the archipelago that have not been explored.

“[Lands] in Papua have not been explored. There are also a lot in Jayapura and Nabire. In Raja Ampat, there are still hundreds of million tons [of nickel reserves]. So we still have a lot of nickel,” said Bahlil when met at the BKPM office, in South Jakarta, Thursday, February 16, 2023.

The average age of smelters in Indonesia is 10 to 20 years, he informed. Moreover, according to the minister, the country’s nickel reserves are the largest in the world reaching 25 percent.

In addition, he said Indonesia has just massively worked on nickel starting 2017 to 2018. He thus emphasized that the government would continue to push for the construction of nickel smelters, which is targeted to reach 53 smelters by 2024. Bahlil believed the effort could add 40 percent of nickel's added value.

When asked about the government's strategy to maintain the balance of nickel production, Bahlil said the government would prioritize the use of technology and renewable energy. “So when we say it’s limited, the way to limit it is not to make the added value at 80 percent, but instead end to end,” he explained.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI

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