PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (PT Vale) is currently developing two High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) smelter projects in Bahodopi, Central Sulawesi, and Morowali, Southeast Sulawesi.These smelters are expected to produce a total of 180,000 tons of HPAL nickel and are targeted for completion by 2027.PT Vale’s Director & Chief Operation and Infrastructure Officer, Abu Ashar, stated that both smelters utilize HPAL technology. The Bahodopi smelter will have a production capacity of up to 60,000 tons of nickel."Meanwhile, the Morowali smelter will be capable of producing up to 120,000 tons," Abu Ashar said during a media gathering at a fast-breaking event in Makassar on Friday (March 21, 2025).These two strategic national projects require an investment of up to USD 9 billion, or approximately IDR 130 trillion.Abu Ashar explained that construction in Bahodopi is already 80% complete and is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year.Meanwhile, the Morowali smelter is currently at 18% completion and is projected to be finished by the fourth quarter of 2026.He emphasized that PT Vale is not only developing mining projects but also laying the foundation for Indonesia’s future in the global electric vehicle and green energy ecosystem.

President Director of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk (MDKA), Albert Saputra, announced that the Pani Gold Mine in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo, is targeted to begin operations in the first quarter of 2026. He shared this during a media gathering in South Jakarta on Thursday (March 20, 2025).Albert stated that in its initial phase, the mine is expected to contribute approximately 80,000 to 100,000 ounces of gold production per year for MDKA."In the early stage, Pani is projected to contribute around 80,000–100,000 ounces, give or take. We are aiming to start production in the first quarter of 2026," said Albert.He added that as the mining project progresses, the company’s capital expenditure (Capex) this year will remain focused on completing the Pani Gold Mine and the HPAL project under Merdeka Battery Materials (MBMA).The operation of the Pani Gold Mine is expected to significantly boost the company’s gold production."As mentioned earlier, additional production will come from the Pani project once it is completed in 2026," Albert explained.The Pani Gold Mine is projected to become one of the largest primary gold mines in Indonesia. Based on the Feasibility Study (FS) and drilling results since 2022, the mine contains an estimated 303.1 million tons of ore, with a total gold content reaching 6.9 million ounces.

PT Amman Mineral Internasional (AMMAN), through its subsidiary PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara, which operates gold and copper mining in West Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, has announced plans to commence its first copper cathode production soon."The first copper cathode is expected to be produced by the end of March 2025," said AMMAN President Director Alexander Ramlie in a statement from Mataram on Thursday.Ramlie stated that the expansion project continues to progress under strict safety standards to ensure the long-term reliability of the facility.According to him, the smelter's operational component testing is still ongoing, with the successful production of the first copper anode on February 12, 2025."As we transform from a concentrate producer to a copper cathode and gold bullion producer, the company faces technical challenges, including optimizing processes and equipment performance, which are crucial for a smooth transition to full-scale operations," Ramlie added.Throughout 2024, AMMN recorded a significant increase in mining productivity and the production of copper, gold, and concentrate—each exceeding performance guidance by 6%, 7%, and 6%, respectively.This year also marks a historic milestone for gold production at Batu Hijau, West Sumbawa, primarily driven by high-grade ore from Phase 7.Furthermore, Ramlie highlighted that ongoing efficiency efforts have maintained the company’s position as one of the world’s lowest-cost copper producers."By integrating operations, fostering a renewed corporate culture, and leveraging advanced digital capabilities, we are strengthening the foundation for sustainable growth and long-term value creation," he concluded.

The Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI/ICMA) stated that Indonesia has the opportunity to export coal to the United States (US) after President Donald Trump announced that he would increase electricity production from fossil fuels."Indonesia does have a chance [to export to the US] because we export to America, but the amount is not much," said Acting Executive Director of APBI/ICMA Gita Mahyarani when contacted, Wednesday (19/3/2025)."We are still looking at the prospects because so far there has been no significant demand for the US."The opportunity, said Gita, is also accompanied by existing challenges; such as logistics costs due to the distance between Indonesia and the US which is quite far.Gita said that referring to the latest data, the largest coal supplier for the US is Colombia, followed by Canada, because the two countries are relatively closer to Uncle Sam's country.“[The] thing to remember; America is also the country with the largest coal reserves. Are they going to open more coal mines?” he said.On the other hand, coal from the US is also imported to China, although in small quantities or only around 1.4 million tons of higher calorie specification coal ( high CV) for domestic coal needs.In fact, US coal has now entered Indonesia, although in small quantities or around 1% of Indonesia's total metallurgical coal imports for processing plants or  smelters.Citing the latest data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) published in February 2025, US coal production from January to September 2024 reached 384,131 tons. This figure is down compared to the same period the previous year which was 437,122 tons. Cumulatively, US coal production in 2023 was 577,954 tons.Meanwhile, cumulative US coal consumption in January-September 2024 was 311,994 tons. This figure is down compared to the same period in 2023 of 325,175 tons.Specifically for power generation, US coal consumption in January-September 2024 reached 284,355 tons, down from the same range the previous year which reached 295,928 tons.Meanwhile, cumulative US coal exports to Indonesia in January-September 2024 were 1.46 million tons, an increase of 149% from the same period the previous year of 588,515 tons.In detail, US steam coal exports to Indonesia throughout the first-third quarter of 2024 were 352,549 tons, up annually from 61,571 tons. Indonesia's metallurgical coal exports in the first nine months of 2024 reached 1,115,391 tons, up annually from 526,944 tons.The US is also recorded as importing 56 tons of coking coal from Indonesia in the first nine months of 2024, up from the same period the previous year which was only 13 tons.Rival ChinaTrump is seeking to counter China's economic gains from coal-fired electricity by authorizing his administration to increase electricity production from the fossil fuel."I am authorizing my administration to immediately begin producing Energy with BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL," Trump wrote in a social media post.It's unclear what Trump meant or how his social media decisions will impact US policy.However, Trump has signed an executive order declaring a national energy emergency and directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase the production and distribution of fossil fuels.Coal accounts for about 15% of electricity generation in the U.S., down from more than 50% in 2000, according to the EIA.The decline of coal-based electricity in the US has been driven by competition from renewable alternatives and cheap natural gas, as well as federal regulations that have raised its operating costs.But Trump could use emergency powers to bring back coal-fired power, repeating a maneuver from his first term, when officials drafted plans to order grid operators to buy power from struggling coal-fired and nuclear plants in an effort to extend their lifespans.Last week, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told Bloomberg Television that the U.S. government was considering using emergency powers to restart shuttered coal-fired power plants and stop others from closing.Separately, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said earlier this month that the administration was working on a “market-based” plan to stem the closure of US coal-fired power plants.As many as 120 U.S. coal-fired power plants are scheduled to close in the next five years in part because of environmental regulations that make them uneconomical, according to the America's Power trade group, which represents utilities and miners such as Peabody Energy Corp. and Core Natural Resources Inc.

The Ministry of Investment and Downstream reveals that the potential downstream of coal could reach USD 31.82 billion (IDR 552.48 trillion) that will come from three types of products, namely Dimethyl Ether (DME), methanol and coke/semi-coke."DME is not the only option in downstreaming. DME itself has been through a long journey, and the challenge is the progress of investors at that time," Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstream, Todotua Pasaribu, said on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.In addition to the large investment value, coal downstreaming is also projected to be able to absorb 23,160 workers, contribute USD 2.26 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and increase exports to USD 11.3 billion.Todotua cited that DME is a government strategy to reduce dependence on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) imports, most of which are still subsidized for industrial and public consumption."To reduce the import and use of LPG, one of the strategies taken is to find substitution products," he said.Previously, the government planned to revive the coal gasification project into DME in three locations in Sumatra and Kalimantan. This decision was a direct instruction from President Prabowo Subianto issued on March 3, 2025.Head of the Task Force for Downstreaming and National Energy Security, Bahlil Lahadalia, said that this project aims to process low-calorie coal so that it can be used as a substitution of imported LPG.

President Director of PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM) Nico Kanter said that he is increasing the digitalization strategy of gold amidst soaring prices. This is because various global uncertainties, such as the policies of United States President Donald Trump, to inflation make gold a safe haven instrument."We also have to improve our market strategy in gold digitalization," said Nico at the CNBC Indonesia Mining Forum in Jakarta, Tuesday (18/3/2025).He said the price of gold continued to rise in the period 2023-2024, and will continue this year. In fact, the price of gold has reached its latest record today.The price of 1 gram of Antam gold today is listed at IDR 1,745,000/gram bar, or up IDR 4,000.As is known, Antam's Precious Metals Processing and Refining Business Unit (UBPP) presents a digital physical gold investment program through the BRANKAS (Safe Gold Management Plan) program.BRANKAS is a gold depository service offered by UBPP Logam Mulia. This program offers ease, convenience, and transaction security in managing gold assets through the BRANKAS LM service which can be done online with competitive purchase and resale prices (buyback).Currently, ANTAM is developing a mobile application platform for Brankas LM transactions and digital physical gold purchase transactions. This is done to make it easier for customers to transact.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that there will be two copper derivative industries built in the Java Integrated Industrial and Ports Estate (JIIPE) Special Economic Zone. He conveyed this when giving a report to President Prabowo Subianto at the inauguration of the gold refining facility or precious metal refinery (PMR) owned by PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) in Gresik, Monday (17/3/2025).According to Bahlil, the construction of the two factories is inseparable from the presence of PTFI's copper smelter in the same location. In the future, the factory will absorb copper cathode products from the Freeport smelter ."There are two [factories] that we will build, Mr. President. Freeport is in Gresik, here. The total investment is approximately IDR 6 trillion to IDR 7 trillion," said Bahlil.Bahlil also said that the factory will process copper cathodes into copper foil to cables. That way, copper downstreaming can run optimally in the JIIPE Special Economic Zone."And it utilizes the copper raw materials available here. So that we really reach the downstream level. That is under the direction of the President," said Bahlil.Meanwhile, PTFI's smelter was inaugurated in September 2024. The copper refining facility has started the commissioning phase in June 2024 and initial production in August 2024.The world's largest  single -line copper smelter is capable of refining copper concentrate with an input capacity of 1.7 million tons of concentrate and producing 600,000-700,000 copper cathodes per year.Based on Bisnis records , the cumulative investment value for the project occupying 100 hectares of land in the JIIPE Special Economic Zone has reached USD 3.7 billion or around IDR 58 trillion. 

President Prabowo Subianto has announced that the Merah Putih Cabinet has agreed to increase the number of first-phase downstream projects from 21 to 30. These large-scale industrialization projects are expected to create 8 million jobs."We have decided to start this year with nearly 30 major projects. Initially, we planned for 20 or 21, but after reviewing our capacity, we see the potential to reach almost 30 significant projects," Prabowo stated during the inauguration of PT Freeport Indonesia’s gold smelter in Gresik, East Java, on Monday (March 17, 2025).He emphasized that the government is not only focusing on downstream projects but also on strategic upstream initiatives. Key sectors targeted include agriculture and fisheries."These projects will generate substantial foreign exchange while also creating a significant number of jobs. Based on our investment programs starting this year, we estimate that around 8 million jobs will be created," he said.Prabowo is optimistic that these projects will become a driving force for Indonesia’s future economy. He urged all stakeholders to manage Indonesia’s natural resources responsibly."It is now our duty and responsibility to manage these resources properly—with order, good governance, transparency, and full accountability," he added.Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia previously revealed that the government had agreed on 21 first-phase downstream projects, with a total investment of USD 40 billion (approximately IDR 659.2 trillion). The funding will be provided by the Investment Management Agency, Daya Anagata Nusantara (BPI Danantara).According to Bahlil, these projects cover various strategic sectors, including oil and gas, mining, agriculture, and marine industries."For 2025, we initially planned around 21 projects in the first phase, with a total investment of approximately USD 40 billion. We have conducted detailed discussions, including identifying the specific investment projects to be developed," Bahlil stated in early March.The government has mapped out 28 commodities for industrial downstream development, aiming to attract investment worth USD 618.1 billion (approximately IDR 9.79 quadrillion) by 2040. Over the next five years, the focus will be on downstreaming coal, seaweed, and other key commodities.In addition to investment, the downstreaming of these 28 commodities is projected to generate USD 857.9 billion (approximately IDR 13.59 quadrillion) in export revenues, contribute USD 235.9 billion (approximately IDR 3.73 quadrillion) to the national GDP, and create 3.01 million jobs. If managed effectively, the government estimates that the potential economic impact could reach IDR 9,000 trillion.

PT Indika Energy Tbk (INDY) will invest USD 10 million in the initial public offering (IPO) of Nanshan Aluminium International Holdings Limited on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). According to a disclosure on Monday (March 17), Adi Pramono, the Corporate Secretary of INDY, stated that the investment will be made through PT Perkasa Investama Mineral (PIM), a subsidiary, as a cornerstone investor in Nanshan's IPO. 'The investment will be completed on the listing date, with the shares being delivered through the Hong Kong Central Clearing and Settlement System (CCASS), scheduled for March 25, 2025,' he said. The investment refers to a Cornerstone Investment Agreement between INDY as the investor; Nanshan as the IPO company; CMB International Capital Limited, a capital market intermediary, joint global coordinator, joint bookrunner, joint lead manager, and financial adviser; and Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited, the sole sponsor and sole overall coordinator. According to him, this investment will enhance operational capabilities by diversifying the portfolio and expanding the company’s presence in international markets.

PT Alamtri Resources Indonesia Tbk (ADRO), formerly known as PT Adaro Energy Indonesia Tbk, has taken strategic steps in implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects through various programs and business innovations.In November 2024, ADRO officially changed its name to PT Alamtri Resources Indonesia Tbk. This name change reflects the company's commitment to focusing more on green business practices and environmentally friendly projects, supporting the national energy transition.The name Alamtri represents the management of Indonesia's natural resources through three key elements: land, water, and air, with a focus on responsibility and sustainable innovation.As part of its ESG strategy, Alamtri has diversified its business into the renewable energy sector. Ongoing projects include a 1.4 Gigawatt Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA) in North Kalimantan and a Solar Power Plant (PLTS) in Central Kalimantan.Alamtri has also established a business pillar, Adaro Green, to capture opportunities in the renewable energy sector. The company plans to utilize renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro, biomass, wind, and waste energy to reduce its carbon footprint.On the social aspect, the company has also strengthened its corporate social responsibility activities. Alamtri leveraged the momentum of the Ramadan month to run its goodwill programs.One of the activities carried out was a joint iftar (breaking of fast) event with 1,000 orphaned children from 20 orphanages spread across Jakarta, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi, held recently at the At-Thohir Mosque.Alamtri's President Director, Garibaldi Thohir, stated that this program is an annual routine activity that the company has been conducting since 2011. "For me, this is something extraordinary. Seeing them happy is very, very touching," he said in his statement on Saturday (March 15).During the event, the man commonly known as Boy Thohir reminisced about his father, Mochammad Thohir, who was an orphan at the age of 11 and a migrant from Lampung. Mochammad Thohir was a migrant from Lampung.As is known, ADRO recorded a revenue of USD 2.07 billion last year, slightly down from USD 2.13 billion in 2023. The company's revenue last year was still predominantly derived from coal sales. Coal sales to third parties amounted to USD 699.65 million, growing 16.63% year-on-year.