Optimism for the future of the nickel market will grow positively in line with increased market demand, giving confidence to PT Hillcon Tbk (HILL) that this year's performance will be better than the previous year. Where the company is targeting revenue of IDR 6 trillion in 2023, an increase of 87.5% compared to the 2022 revenue target which was recorded at IDR 3.2 trillion. "Net profit is targeted at IDR 1 trillion compared to the projected net profit of IDR 300 billion which is supported by revenue of IDR 3.2 trillion," said HILL Director Jaya Angdika in Jakarta yesterday.Meanwhile, capital expenditure or capex for 2023 is targeted at IDR 1 trillion. Later, the capex will be mixed with institutional loans, around IDR 800 billion-IDR 1 trillion. Until September 2022, Hillcon posted revenue of IDR 2.17 trillion as of September 2022, or an increase of 68.22% compared to the same period in 2021 which was recorded at IDR 1.29 trillion. Hillcon's gross profit shot up 10.39% from IDR 524.6 billion as of September 2021 to IDR 579.1 billion as of September 2022.Meanwhile, Hillcon's total assets increased by 28.75% from IDR 2.40 trillion in 2021 to IDR 3.09 trillion as of September 2022. On the same occasion, HILL Main Director, Hersan Qiu said, Hillcon was the first nickel commodity contractor to conduct an IPO. "The nickel industry is currently developing, so Hillcon's IPO is the right momentum for us," he said.He emphasized that Hillcon's geographic reach allows the company to meet the needs of its customers in diverse locations, and gives Hillcon an advantage in winning projects across the country. Currently, Hillcon operates in a number of locations, namely in Kalimantan, Sulawesi and North Maluku.This enables the company to meet customer needs in diverse locations across Indonesia. ,” he said.To note, world nickel consumption will increase by 17.2% in 2021 to 2.8 million tons compared to 2020 which grew only 0.6%. A total of 1.96 million tonnes of nickel metal (69%) is consumed by the stainless steel industry. Indonesia as the world's largest nickel producer will have 950 thousand tonnes of nickel metal in 2021 or 35% of the world's total nickel production.Indonesia also has the world's largest proven nickel reserves or 22% of proven nickel reserves (21 million tonnes of nickel metal). According to ESDM, estimated reserves are 41 million tons of nickel metal. For information, Hillcon itself is currently preparing for an IPO by offering 442.3 million common shares with a nominal value of IDR 100. The price offered for this IPO is in the range of IDR 1,250 – IDR 2,000 per share and the hope is to reap as much fresh funds as possible IDR 884.6 billion.About 55% of all proceeds from the IPO will be used by the company for working capital of its subsidiary PT Hillconjaya Sakti (HS) for mining production costs, including fuel costs, overhead and maintenance of all equipment. Meanwhile, the remaining 45% will be used for capital expenditure or capex to purchase heavy equipment such as main fleets and supporting fleets that will support HS' operational activities in the nickel sector.Source: https://www.neraca.co.id/article/174404/permintaan-pasar-nikel-menjanjikan-hillcon-targetkan-pendapatan-rp-6-triliun

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded exports of nickel commodities and goods thereof quadrupled in 2022. The increase is not only in terms of volume but also in terms of export value. Exports of ferro-nickel products also rose rapidly, while exports of nickel ore were almost non-existent following the export ban policy that began in 2020. Furthermore, BPS noted that the export volume of nickel and goods thereof, code HS75, rose 367% throughout 2022 or reached 778.4 thousand tons. This achievement is the highest record in at least the last 13 years. Meanwhile, a significant increase has occurred since the government imposed a ban on nickel ore exports.BPS data also shows that an increase in export volume is followed by an increase in export value. Throughout 2022, BPS recorded the export value of nickel and goods thereof amounting to US$ 5.97 billion, an increase of more than four times compared to the previous year. The surge also occurred in exports of ferro nickel commodities. Export volume in 2022 will reach 5.78 million tons, or a 65% increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, in terms of export value, the value almost doubled to US$ 13.62 billion.This is in line with the ban on nickel ore exports since 2020. The export volume of nickel ore in 2019 reached 32.4 million tons, then dropped to 1.4 tons in the first year the export ban was implemented. The volume then continued to shrink, remaining 492 kilograms last year, although it increased from the previous year's only 65 kilograms.On the other hand, the issue of nickel exports has been the talk of the town in recent months. This is because the banning of nickel ore exports three years ago drew a lawsuit by the European Union at the World Trade Organization (WTO). In the lawsuit, the WTO rejected Indonesia's defense because the policy violated a number of articles in the 1994 General Agreement on Trade and Tariff (GATT), meaning that Indonesia was declared defeated.After the decision was issued, a number of unanimous state officials said they would submit an appeal via appeal. Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said he was waiting for time to submit an appeal. But at this time, there is no definite information about this. "We are waiting for the WTO Appellate Body to convene again, we don't know when to appeal. Meanwhile, we are continuing with the nickel ore downstream program," Agus said in Jakarta, Tuesday (12/20).Source: https://www.msn.com/id-id/ekonomi/ekonomi/cetak-rekor-volume-ekspor-nikel-indonesia-tembus-7784-ribu-ton/ar-AA16oR9r

 PT Dana Brata Luhur Tbk ( TEBE ) targets coal barging volume to reach 12 million metric tons (MT). This target has increased by 11% from last year's actual barging which reached 10.74 million MT of coal. Dana Brata Luhur Director Hendy Narindra Dewantoro said this target was set in line with management's optimism that coal prices are projected to still have the upper hand this year.“TEBE sees that the prospect of coal this year will not change much. Moreover, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has yet to show signs of peace, so it is estimated that coal prices will remain high in 2023," Hendy told Kontan.co.id, Monday (16/1). Last year, TEBE succeeded in exceeding its barging volume target  . From the target of 7 million tons, TEBE managed to realize 10.7 million tons of transported coal.Meanwhile, solid coal prices have helped boost TEBE's performance throughout the first nine months of 2022. TEBE recorded a net profit of IDR 224.58 billion at the end of September 2022. This amount shot 111.5% from the net profit realized by TEBE in the same period last year, which amounted to IDR 106.15 billion. Thus, TEBE's basic earnings per share rose to IDR 174.77 from previously only IDR 82.61.This increase in net profit was followed by an increase in TEBE's revenue. This issuer, which is engaged in the transportation of mining products, posted revenue of IDR 525.99 billion, an increase of 81.8% from revenue as of September 2021, which was only IDR 289.35 billion. TEBE's revenue is supported by revenue from mining support facilities, namely from port services worth IDR 491.33 billion. The rest is revenue from road facility services worth Rp. 43.90 million and rental income of Rp. 34.61 billion.In detail, revenues to certain parties that exceed 10% of total operating revenues, namely to PT Aero Mandiri worth Rp. 154.08 billion or the equivalent of 29.29% and PT Banjar Bumi Persada worth Rp. 69.71 billion or equal to 13.25%. Hendy said that high coal prices were still one of the reasons for the increase  in TEBE throughput . The war between Russia and Ukraine led to an increase in coal prices"TEBE as an infrastructure service provider that supports coal producers, has certainly experienced an increase in throughput in line with the increase in coal producer activity," explained Hendy. Meanwhile, TEBE projects that revenue in 2023 will reach Rp. 840 billion, with an estimated net profit of Rp. 294 billion.One of TEBE's performance supports is the completion of completing the development/upgrade of Conveyor Line-4 by TEBE's subsidiary, namely PT Talenta Bumi. The conveyor has an installed capacity of 2,000 tonnes per hour.  Conveyor Line-4 has the largest installed capacity of the 3 Conveyor Lines currently owned by PT Talenta Bumi, each of which has a capacity of only 1,000 MT per hour.Source: https://investasi.kontan.co.id/news/dana-brata-luhur-tebe-targetkan-angkut-12-juta-ton-batubara-tahun-ini

The Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI) stated that the revision of the Reference Coal Price (HBA) formula is very urgent. Executive Director of APBI, Hendra Sinadi said, since October 2021 the disparity between HBA and the actual selling price of exports has widened."Revisions are urgent so that HBA/HPB can represent market prices. This condition makes it difficult for companies because they pay much higher royalty obligations, especially since the increase in coal royalty rates has been implemented," he explained to Kontan.co.id, Monday (9/1).The revision of the HBA is also considered important before implementing the Coal Public Service Agency (BLU). Hendra said that the revision of the HBA to ensure a fair BLU mechanism for business actors is certainly so that the tariffs charged are close to the actual selling price.In discussing BLU, Hendra explained, APBI has conveyed the attention of business actors and hopes that BLU can guarantee equality and consider the HBA formula which no longer reflects the real selling price."The government in this case has fully understood the conditions and the pros and cons of various schemes so we leave it to the Government the best scheme because miners have paid PNBP obligations including royalties, taxes and other obligations in accordance with regulations," he said.The request of business actors is also supported by the legislator in this case Commission VII DPR RI. In October 2022, the Deputy Chairman of Commission VII of the House of Representatives, Dony Maryadi Oekan, had urged the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal (Dirjen Minerba) to provide clarity regarding the calculation of HBA in the Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) compensation fund collection scheme which blu plans to do."This BLU has a standard later, that standard is from the price and expenses made by the mining company itself, namely HBA. Regarding this HBA, the calculation must be clear," he explained in an official statement, Friday (14/10).Dony stated this after hearing many complaints from miners regarding the large difference in coal prices on the domestic index, namely the Indonesia Coal Index (ICI) and the international index.Based on the plan, the dues paid by miners to BLU will follow the HBA. Therefore, the large difference in coal prices is considered to cause the application of BLU to be burdensome for miners, especially for small miners, considering that the HBA is determined based on the international market indexImage source: KONTAN/Febriana Ratna IskanaSource: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/apbi-revisi-formula-harga-batubara-acuan-hba-lebih-mendesak-dari-blu-batubara

PT Gunbuster Nickel Industry (GNI) will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident of a demonstration that led to a riot that occurred in the GNI Industrial Estate in Petasia District, North Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi, on Saturday (14/1/ 2023). The riot resulted in 2 fatalities and brought the company's activities to a halt."We deeply regret this incident. The company will coordinate with the authorities to investigate the incident. This is not only detrimental to the company and employees because factory operations have to stop, but also to the community around the industrial area," said Head of Human Resources and General Affairs of PT GNI Muknis Basri Assegaf through an official statement, Monday (16/1/2023).Muknis revealed that on Sunday (15/1/2023), a meeting was held which was attended by the Director of Intelligence for the Central Sulawesi Regional Police and the Secretary of Morut Musda Guntur who was accompanied by the Head of the Morut Police and the Dandim of Morowali and North Morowali."During the meeting, all parties regretted the incident which caused damage and harmed many parties, both the company, employees and residents around the factory who were affected by their daily activities," he added.Regarding the circulating issue of mistreatment by unscrupulous foreign workers (TKA) against Indonesian workers (TKI) and violence against women workers, Muknis stressed that this issue was not true.The attack on the employees occurred during the factory's operating hours so that activities stopped and caused severe damage and looting in the mess of 100 employees of local workers, women and foreign workers. As well as around 6 heavy equipment and operational vehicles belonging to the company caught fire.“They also attacked foreign workers to stop working. And after riots arose, they then burned and looted the mess of local women workers, to the point where they looted the mess of the TNI and then set it on fire," he said.Muknis said that during the series of actions the North Morowali Police managed to secure 70 suspected perpetrators. Due to this incident, there were around 9 people injured, and 2 people died (1 local worker and 1 foreign worker).In addition, several other parties, such as the Regent of Morut Delis Julkasson Hehi and the Central Sulawesi Regional Police Chief Inspector General of Police Rudy Sufahriadi all agreed that they regretted the riot and asked the authorities to thoroughly investigate the perpetrators involved. All parties also agreed that in the future something like this should not happen again."The company also suffered quite a lot of material losses, especially a number of our heavy equipment and the workers' mess which was burnt by the mob. We are committed to thoroughly investigating and conducting an investigation to find a bright spot in this case," he concluded.Source: https://investor.id/industry-trade/319190/pt-gni-akan-investigasi-aksi-anarkis-dalam-unjuk-rasa

State-owned Mining Holding MIND ID together with its affiliate, PT Industri Baterai Indonesia (IBC) continues to strive for the acceleration of low-emission energy, one of which is realized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) together with Citaglobal Bhd. from Malaysia.The scope of the MoU is cooperation in the development of battery cell manufacturing plants and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This cooperation is expected to complement each other and provide more value for the readiness of the battery industry in Indonesia.As is known, IBC is a subsidiary of BUMN, which was founded by four Indonesian SOEs, namely PT Aneka Tambang Tbk. (ANTM), MIND ID, Pertamina, and PLN.The signing of the MOU between IBC and Citaglobal was carried out on Sunday (08/112023), which was witnessed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his first official visit to Indonesia since being appointed as Prime Minister of Malaysia.President Commissioner of IBC and Director of Institutional Relations of MIND ID Dany Amrul Ichdan said that in principle there are three main points of collaboration contained in the MoU. The first is the development, design, and construction of integrated turnkey manufacturing facilities for battery cells, modules, and packaging.Second, the development of BESS integrated solutions. Thirdly, the transfer of technology and related knowledge for the development of battery factories and BESS."MIND ID strongly supports the implementation of this MoU, because it is very good for both parties, who have strategic plans and focus on accelerating the growth of the battery-based electric vehicle ecosystem, as well as a form of accelerating the transition to low-emission renewable energy," he said in an official statement, Wednesday (11/1/2023).Dany appreciates that IBC can cooperate with foreign companies that already have a good reputation. This means that domestically made battery products will go international.Citaglobal Executive Chairman & President Tan Sri Dato' Sri (Dr.) Mohamad Norza Zakaria said increasing battery storage capacity is very important for the development of renewable energy, both in Malaysia and Indonesia.The Malaysian Energy Commission has committed to adopting battery storage technology up to 500 MW. With Malaysia's strategic location for high solar potential, the government has been very proactive in selecting suitable areas for solar power adoption, especially for battery energy storage systems."Cross-border collaboration will enable both sides to leverage each other's expertise and accelerate the process of increasing low-carbon resources," he added.The MoU has a period of one year and is valid from the date of signing. This collaboration is also a form of accelerating IBC's readiness as a key player in the electric vehicle battery industry, especially in terms of technology.Image source: Dok.IBCSource: https://market.bisnis.com/read/20230111/192/1617254/ambisi-mind-id-dan-ibc-gandeng-citaglobal-bangun-pabrik-baterai

PT ABM Investama Tbk (ABMM) has achieved production and sales volume targets set throughout 2022, namely in the range of 13 million to 14 million tons. The company's management stated that sales in 2022 would be around 13.7 million tons.  "Regarding the prospects for 2023, hopefully, it will be as good as 2022 considering that energy demand has never decreased," wrote ABMM Management in a statement Therefore, the company is aiming for a production and sales target of around 12.4 million tonnes this year. This target is lower than in 2022 because ABMM's coal reserves have decreased.Until the end of 2021, coal reserves in the mining concession area of ​​PT Tunas Inti Abadi (TIA) amounted to 4.42 million tons by the end of December 2021. Meanwhile, coal reserves in the Aceh mining concession are owned by PT Mifa Bersaudara (MIFA) and PT Bara Energi Lestari ( BEL) reached 200.36 million tons. The company said that throughout 2023 the company will focus on increasing the volume of coal production targeted by its partners. To support this plan, ABMM has prepared capital expenditure of more than US$ 200 million or around Rp 3.12 trillion (exchange rate of Rp 15,600).Source: https://www.emitennews.com/news/capai-target-penjualan-batubara-abm-investama-abmm-sentuh-137-juta-ton

PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) continues to push for the construction of a copper cathode smelter project in the Java Integrated and Industrial Port Estate (JIIPE) area in Gresik, East Java.  PTFI Vice President Corporate Communications, Riza Pratama explained, his party supports the Government's downstream policy. It is evident that PTFI is in the process of developing a major investment in the construction of domestic smelting and refining facilities. "Previously construction activities were limited due to the pandemic, but currently we are making very good progress in completing the project as quickly as possible," he explained to Kontan.co.id, Friday (13/1). Riza said that the copper cathode smelter construction process had reached more than 50% at the end of last year. The smelter construction is targeted to be substantially completed by the end of 2023 with an increase in production in 2024."We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to this initiative and will work closely with the government," he stressed. Riza emphasized that it is important for all stakeholders to maintain mining operations while building smelter capacity continues. The production capacity of the smelter that is being built by PTFI in the Special Economic Zone (KEK), JIIPE - Gresik is 1.7 million tons of copper concentrate. This smelter will produce 550,000 tons of copper cathodes per year.Source: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/dukung-hilirisasi-freeport-indonesia-pacu-pembangunan-smelter-katoda-tembaga

Several companies have shown an interest in investing in the development of the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in Indonesia, according to Minister of Investment and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia.After attending a limited meeting chaired by President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday, the minister shared the names of three such companies: LG from South Korea, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) from China, and Britishvolt from England.Lahadalia said that investment from LG and CATL will be used for creating an EV ecosystem from upstream to downstream, which will begin this year.LG and CATL have adopted a similar mechanism, namely collaboration with a number of local companies under the state-owned holding mining company MIND ID, he disclosed.During the mining stage, both will work with PT ANTAM. Then, for smelter development, they will work with the Indonesian Battery Industry or Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC), a state-owned enterprise whose shares are owned by ANTAM, MIND ID, PLN, and Pertamina."They will also process the cell battery cathode precursors and recycling. So this is a whole ecosystem that may become the first in the world because other cycles in other countries are only partial," he informed.In terms of investment value, LG will provide US$9.8 billion in capital and CATL around US$6 billion to Indonesia, the minister said."This is what is currently running this year," he added.Regarding the location, the minister informed that the smelter will be set up close to the mining location, while the cathode precursor factory will be partly situated in Batang, Central Java."CATL determined the location between Batang and North Kalimantan on their own," Lahadalia stated.Speaking about the investment from Britishvolt, he said he believes that the licensing process is almost complete, but estimated that the construction will start only in the second or third quarter of 2023."Britishvolt is working with a national company. Right now, the licensing process is almost complete, but the initial development may not be carried out in the first quarter, maybe in the second or third quarter," he explained.Source: https://en.antaranews.com/news/269370/minister-outlines-ev-ecosystem-investments

PT Transcoal Pacific Tbk (TCPI) intends to raise its capital without pre-emptive rights, also known as a private placement, by issuing 500 million units of new shares.These new shares are equal to 10% of TCPI’s entire issued and paid-up capital.The management of TCPI said that until now, there has been no investors that are said to take part in this private placement. “The company will announce more detail regarding potential investors through the information disclosure as dictated by the Financial Services Authority Regulations (POJK) No.14/2019,” the management of TCPI claimed in its official release.TCPI will ask for approval regarding this plan during the Extraordinary General Shareholders Meeting on January 6, 2023. After securing the green light, the private placement is estimated to take place gradually within the next two years.The management has yet to confirm their plan on private placement proceeds utilisation. However, based on their official statement, the management believes that this corporate action will improve the company’s capital structure and financial condition. (KR/ZH)Source: https://www.idnfinancials.com/news/45595/transcoal-pacific-schedules-private-placement-shares