The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is exploring collaboration with PT Eramet Indonesia Mining to discuss further cooperation regarding the study and exploration of critical minerals in Indonesia.

This collaboration is being undertaken by the ESDM’s Center for Mineral, Coal, and Geothermal Resources (PSDMBP).

Head of PSDMBP, Agung Pribadi, stated that they are working to establish partnerships with several foreign companies, focusing on in-depth studies of critical mineral potential.

He explained that critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and lithium are essential commodities for the development of future technologies, particularly for electric vehicle batteries.

"With a comprehensive study, we hope to discover larger reserves of critical minerals with high economic value," Agung said in an official statement on Thursday (17/10/2024).

Agung elaborated that the collaboration between PSDMBP and Eramet will cover several aspects. This includes the study and investigation of prospective critical mineral areas that have not yet been developed in Indonesia.

Additionally, the collaboration will involve the investigation of ore characterization and metallurgical processes related to nickel, as well as lithium exploration from geothermal brine.

Agung mentioned that this partnership also opens opportunities for knowledge exchange regarding lithium exploration, mineral inventory, and joint scientific publications.

He disclosed that there is a planned lithium investigation in Grobogan Regency, Central Java, which is scheduled to begin on October 21, 2024. This investigation follows the lithium brine study initiated in 2023 in the Bleduk Kuwu area and its surroundings.

The activities will involve geophysical and geochemical methods, with PSDMBP and Eramet contributing different equipment and techniques.

“In this regard, the geophysical methods to be used include gravity, ground magnetic, and magnetotelluric by PSDMBP, as well as geoelectric, self-potential, and passive seismic by Eramet,” Agung stated.

Preparations for this activity have been underway since August 2024. Agung noted that the next steps include obtaining permits and conducting outreach to local government authorities on October 21, 2024.

Moreover, geochemical methods involving the collection of brine water samples will be carried out by the PSDMBP team for further laboratory analysis.

As part of the collaboration's implementation, a delegation from the Geological Agency and PSDMBP is scheduled to visit Eramet’s R&D facility in Paris, France, in early December 2024.

Agung mentioned that the visit aims to learn about lithium extraction technology from geothermal brine, currently being developed by Eramet. The visit will also strengthen knowledge transfer to support the development of the critical mineral industry in Indonesia.