PT United Tractors Tbk (UNTR), is targeting an increase in gold sales to 240,000 ounces by 2025. This target is higher compared to the 2024 projection of 235,000 ounces. This aligns with UNTR's focus on strengthening its mineral mining business, particularly in gold and nickel.United Tractors' Corporate Secretary, Sara K. Loebis, stated that UNTR remains optimistic, although she did not disclose detailed prospects or financial projections. "Regarding the prospects, I can't elaborate further; perhaps it only refers to macroeconomic analysis” said Sara to Kontan on Tuesday (January 7).Sara explained that this year, United Tractors is targeting several performance improvements. In addition to the gold sales target, the company also aims to achieve heavy equipment sales of 4,600 units (up from 4,350 units in 2024), coal production for its clients of 150-152 million tons, with overburden removal (OB) of 1.2-1.3 billion bcm, coal sales of 14 million tons (up from 13 million tons in 2024), and nickel ore sales of 2 million wmt (up from 1.9 million wmt in 2024).Despite showing growth ambitions, United Tractors has not planned any new acquisitions in the near future. As part of its business development plan, UNTR has allocated a capital expenditure (capex) of around USD 1 billion for 2025, which is stable compared to last year's budget. This funding will be used for operational capex and will be covered by internal cash.Sara detailed that about 60% of the capex will be allocated to the mining contractor segment, 20% to mineral mining infrastructure, and the remainder for other purposes."60% will be used for the mining contractor business line, 20% for mineral mining infrastructure such as gold and nickel, and the rest for other needs" Sara explained.UNTR also sees significant market potential, supported by commodity price trends and global demand. However, future strategies will be adjusted based on macroeconomic conditions and the dynamics of the mining market in Indonesia and globally.United Tractors has long managed the mining contractor business through its subsidiary, PT Pamapersada Nusantara (PAMA). The mineral sector, particularly gold and nickel, has become one of the key areas for expansion, in line with the growing global demand for renewable energy.

Thiess is pleased to announce that it has secured the USD 330 million Kapuas Bara Utama (KBU) mining contract in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The six-year project is a strong statement of Thiess’ ongoing competitiveness after more than 35 years in the region. Under the contract, Thiess will undertake all mining activities, including site establishment, technical services, overburden removal, and water management. Mobilisation for the project will commence in early 2025, aligning with Thiess’ strategic focus on strengthening its presence in its key markets, and fostering strong partnerships with communities and clients. Thiess Group Executive Chair and CEO Michael Wright said: "This contract highlights the trust that Kapuas Bara Utama has placed in Thiess as a partner of choice in the mining industry.  It reflects our team’s capability to deliver innovative, productive and sustainable solutions that help our clients achieve their goals." Thiess Group Executive – Asia Cluny Randell added: "The KBU project represents an exciting chapter for Thiess in Central Kalimantan.  Securing this partnership further strengthens our presence in the region, where we have consistently delivered value to our clients, whilst contributing positively to local communities." As part of its commitment to supporting local communities, Thiess will focus on an empowerment program for village-owned enterprises, providing fair and equal business opportunities for local entrepreneurs through the procurement of goods and services needed for the project, as well as providing opportunities for a diverse workforce of Thiess people.Under this contract, Thiess will also extend its Clean River Program in collaboration with the local community and the International River Foundation, as well as collaborating with the client to upgrade and maintain nearby public roads.Thiess is set to deliver exceptional outcomes through this partnership, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted mining services provider in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) is currently seeking investors to manage a coal mining concession spanning 25,000 to 26,000 hectares in East Kalimantan. This comes after the religious organization obtained a special mining business permit (WIUPK) for the area. PBNU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf stated that investors are needed to finance reclamation costs as a requirement for operating the mine. "The government has regulations on this matter. Before we start, we are required to deposit a large reclamation guarantee, so we need to find investors who can help us fund this," Yahya said during a virtual press conference on Tuesday (January 7, 2025).He explained that the reclamation guarantee fund will not be lost. The money will be deposited with the government and ultimately used to finance post-mining reclamation. According to him, this is a necessity to ensure the protection of the environment. "It is automatically implemented. If it doesn’t proceed, it becomes a legal issue, as there is a legal obligation for reclamation, and it must be carried out," Yahya said.To manage the coal mine, NU has also established PT BUMN, or PT Berkah Usaha Muamalah Nusantara. Yahya explained that this company is managed by the NU cooperative as the business entity responsible for managing the mine. He also confirmed that the WIUPK (Special Mining Business Permit) for NU has been issued, and they are currently preparing the exploration process. After that, NU will begin mining coal effectively.Meanwhile, NU is also conducting an environmental study as required by the government. "Of course, we will follow the required procedures because the permit has already been granted to us. We will fulfill all the requirements," Yahya explained.According to Bisnis' records, the mining land allocated to PBNU is former land from the coal mining agreement (PKP2B) of PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC). KPC is one of the coal mining entities of PT Bumi Resources Tbk. (BUMI), a company owned by the Bakrie Group, which is now jointly controlled with the Salim Group.

PT Golden Energy Mines Tbk. (GEMS) targets a coal production volume of 50 million to 51 million tons for 2025. The company's Corporate Secretary, Sudin, explained that the coal production target is expected to be the same as in 2024, at 50-51 million tons. "The sales volume is estimated to be 51-52 million tons" said Sudin on Tuesday (January 7, 2025). Sudin further explained that GEMS' production and sales figures remain unchanged between 2024 and 2025. This is in line with the new RKAB system, which will be effective for three years, from 2024 to 2026, unless revisions are made.On the other hand, Sudin said that GEMS' capital expenditure for this year is estimated to be between US$30 million and US$35 million. "The capital expenditure will be used for hauling road facilities, ports, and other supporting facilities" said Sudin.Previously, GEMS projected that coal prices will remain stable in 2025. Golden Energy Mines Director, Suhendra, explained that with relatively abundant reserves, coal will continue to be one of the key sources of energy in Indonesia, both for electricity generation and other industries. "Despite the growing demand for the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the demand for coal, both domestically and for export, is expected to remain high in 2025" said Suhendra on Thursday (December 5, 2024). He continued that the thermal coal price at the end of November and early December 2024 has been relatively stable. GEMS also forecasts that coal prices will not fluctuate significantly. "On the other hand, there are still opportunities to seek new export markets, especially in Southeast Asia" Suhendra added. He also mentioned that GEMS will continue to implement superior mining operational strategies and regularly monitor costs to ensure the company can maximize its performance.

Chairman of the Indonesian Mining Institute, Irwandy Arif, revealed that at least 55 nickel smelters will be operating in Indonesia.These 55 smelters consist of 49 Rotary Kiln-Electric Furnace (RKEF) smelters that will produce nickel pig iron (NPI) and 6 High-Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) smelters."Currently, around 36 smelters are still under construction" he said during a Mining Zone interview, quoted on Monday, January 6.With the 36 new smelters being built, Irwandy projects that domestic nickel demand will increase by 185 million tons. The nickel demand from smelters already in operation reaches 300 million tons per year."So, what about the demand that will arise soon? The demand from the 36 new smelters will be around 185 million tons. So, if we add 300 million and 185 million, it’s almost 500 million" Irwandy added.He further mentioned that Indonesia’s current nickel reserves, both saprolite and limonite, are only about 5 billion tons. Therefore, Irwandy urges the government to increase the country’s nickel reserves."Our reserves are only 5 billion tons. So, we need to increase the reserves first" he said briefly.Furthermore, Irwandy said that in order to achieve a balance between supply and demand, both in Indonesia and globally, a strong commitment from the government is needed to implement good mining practices in the industry.Not only that, he continued, the government also needs to regulate the production of steel and batteries, which are still wide open for development."But there is still one more thing that the government needs to focus on: the third nickel downstream pathway, which is how to create pure nickel metal. This is the most expensive of all, and it is used for the fast-growing aviation industry, which we have not yet developed" Irwandy concluded.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, says the decision on PT Freeport Indonesia’s (PTFI) copper concentrate export permit extension will be discussed in a meeting with Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Industry along with President Prabowo Subianto by mid of this year.“We will have a meeting with the President. So, maybe it will be discussed from now until June what kind of treatment for PTFI will be,” Bahlil told a press conference on Monday, January 6, 2025.He cited that until now there has been no official government decision regarding the granting of export relaxation for PTFI. Meanwhile, the operation of PTFI’s copper smelter in the Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate (JIIPE), Gresik, East Java, is being accelerated, with the target ramp-up advancing from August to May or June 2025.This copper smelter functions to process copper concentrate mined by PTFI in Papua. As long as the smelter is not fully operational, PTFI relies on exporting copper concentrate abroad to maintain the sustainability of its operations.The decision regarding the relaxation of concentrate exports will take into account national strategic interests, including optimizing the added value of Indonesia’s mineral resources. The government is trying to ensure that the policies taken not only support the sustainability of PTFI’s operations, but also support the domestic economy and the development of downstream industries.“The government will continue to coordinate to determine the best measures, including accelerating PTFI’s smelter operations so that it can immediately provide optimal contributions to the national economy,” Bahlil said.On the other hand, PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) has submitted a request for copper concentrate export relaxation after the export permit expired on December 31, 2024. This request was submitted following a fire incident at a smelter facility located in the Gresik Special Economic Zone (KEK), East Java, which caused the cessation of copper cathode production operations.President Director of PTFI, Tony Wenas, revealed that all smelter operations were still stopped for the repair process. “It’s still fully stopped. If it’s being repaired, it’s impossible to produce,” Tony said at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Office on Friday, January 3, 2025.Meanwhile, a senior official at the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Elen Setiadi, said that based on PTFI’s report, the smelter could only gradually return to production in July 2025.“Ramp-up is targeted to start in July, but its capacity is only 40 percent of total production,” he said.Tony Wenas ensured that PTFI had conducted a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire and identify the damage. The incident occurred at the gas cleaning plant facility, which functions to clean CO2 gas from the concentrate combustion process.“We ensure that all employees are safe and no one was injured. There is no negative impact on public health or the surrounding environment,” Tony said.The gas cleaning plant facility that caught fire plays an important role in converting CO2 gas into sulfuric acid, which is used for the fertilizer industry, nickel HPAL factories, and various other needs. Impact of fire incidentThe temporary closure of the smelter caused PTFI to be unable to meet its production and export targets. This prompted the company to apply for export relaxation in order to maintain operations and meet production obligations while waiting for the smelter ramp-up.PTFI is committed to completing smelter repairs in a timely manner and anticipating that similar incidents do not recur. The government is still evaluating the export relaxation application and will consider its economic impact, especially on PTFI’s contribution to state revenue.

Corporate Secretary of MIND ID, Heri Yusuf, stated that the company will boost its performance this year by investing in strategic projects.The company has allocated an investment of IDR 20.6 trillion for five strategic projects that will drive economic growth both regionally and nationally."2025 is a year full of optimism. We are confident that we can accelerate the downstreaming of Indonesia's mining industry and make a significant contribution to sustainable economic growth towards Indonesia’s Golden Year in 2045," said Heri in an official statement received by Kumparan on Sunday (5/1).Heri explained that these projects include, first, the MIND ID Group’s completion of the Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery (SGAR) construction in Mempawah, West Kalimantan. This smelter is targeted to ramp up production in the first quarter of 2025 and will produce one million tons of alumina per year.Second, MIND ID, through PT Inalum, is planning the construction of a new aluminum smelter in Kuala Tanjung. With an annual production capacity of 600,000 tons of aluminum, this project is expected to strengthen the national aluminum supply chain.Next, the MIND ID Group will continue the development of the nickel project in East Halmahera, which is one of its priorities. This project includes the construction of a Rotary Kiln-Electric Furnace (RKEF) smelter for nickel production, as well as a High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) facility for electric vehicle battery raw materials.The production capacity of the RKEF will be increased to 88,000 tons of nickel, while the HPAL is targeted to reach 55,000 tons of Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP).Fourth, the MIND ID Group will continue the construction of a copper smelter and Precious Metal Refinery (PMR) in Gresik, East Java. This project is planned to begin operations and ramp up production by the end of the third quarter of 2025.Fifth, the coal infrastructure development project in Tanjung Enim, South Sumatra. MIND ID, through PT Bukit Asam, is forming a strategic partnership with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) and utilizing river routes to enhance the efficiency of coal transportation from the mining site, with a capacity of 20 million tons per year."We are confident that the downstreaming efforts carried out by MIND ID will have a positive impact on the downstream industrial sector, create new job opportunities, and enhance the nation's economic sovereignty," said Heri.

The prospects for the copper and gold mining industry in Indonesia are predicted to remain bright, providing a significant impact on both the national economy and the surrounding mining areas. Two major mining companies, PT Amman Mineral Internasional Tbk (AMMAN) and PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), are key players, making substantial contributions to copper and gold production in the country.As of the third quarter of 2024, AMMAN has produced 335 million pounds of copper and 707,930 ounces of gold. Meanwhile, Freeport Indonesia has reported production of 1.37 billion pounds of copper and 1.43 million ounces of gold.Mining and Energy Analyst, Ferdy Hasiman, stated that both companies have the capital, technology, and skilled human resources to sustain the industry. "These two major producers are highly competent in their field. The future of the copper and gold industry looks very promising, especially since both have established copper concentrate processing plants that provide an extraordinary multiplier effect for the national economy," Ferdy said on Monday (30/12/2024).Furthermore, Ferdy explained that copper plays a key role in the development of the electric vehicle ecosystem, including as a primary material for batteries, contributing up to 10.8% of their components. "By-products of copper also power industries such as fertilizers, cables, and others. This is a strong reason why the future of the copper and gold industry remains very bright," he explained.AMMAN, which is currently developing the Elang mine in West Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), shows great potential. This site is expected to become one of the largest porphyry copper and gold mines in the world, with a projected increase in reserves of 43% for copper and 48% for gold based on the feasibility study. Production from the Elang mine is expected to begin after the completion of Phase 8 mining at Batu Hijau in 2030.Meanwhile, Freeport Indonesia still holds large reserves at the Kucing Liar underground mine, with a total of 29 billion pounds of copper and 24 million ounces of gold expected until 2041.Ferdy added that the global geopolitical conditions must still be anticipated, as they could affect demand and supply in the industry. "However, overall, the prospects for the copper and gold industry, both nationally and internationally, remain very promising" he said.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology plays a key role in driving the success of Indonesia’s mineral downstreaming policies. Through the integration of AI and big data, Indonesia has developed an innovative geospatial system that optimizes natural resource management while strengthening its position in the global supply chain.Research conducted by Binus University, titled "Analysis of Big Data in Downstreaming Policies: Indonesia's Strategy and Diplomacy in the Face of Global Dynamics," highlights the benefits of AI in supporting economic diplomacy and downstreaming strategies.One of the Binus University research team members, Dr. Alexander A.S. Gunawan, explained that the use of modern technologies like the Peta Hilirisasi platform (petahilirisasi.id) offers deep insights into strategic commodities such as nickel, bauxite, cobalt, and quartz sand.“AI integration allows us to better understand the distribution patterns and socio-economic impacts of mining activities in more detail. This technology not only supports sustainability but also enhances the efficiency of resource management processes,” said Alexander.The Peta Hilirisasi platform, an AI-based geodashboard, assists the government and industry players in identifying mineral potential, mapping resource distribution, and predicting market trends. With data processed over two decades, covering production records, trade (exports-imports), and geospatial information since the early 2000s, the platform provides evidence-based insights that expedite decision-making in downstreaming.In addition to displaying interactive maps and charts, Peta Hilirisasi also features machine-learning-based market trend modeling that can project the potential added value of a commodity in the global market.Indonesia's downstream diplomacy also greatly benefits from AI integration, especially through the in-depth analysis provided by Peta Hilirisasi. This technology helps the government strengthen its arguments in international negotiations, as geospatial data makes it easier for Indonesia to demonstrate its commitment to domestic processing and sustainability—especially amidst challenges such as the European Union’s WTO lawsuit over the nickel export ban.For instance, when presenting the potential reserves of nickel and bauxite at international forums, Indonesia can provide verified distribution maps and supply forecasts. This approach strengthens the government’s negotiation position when setting export-import policies."According to the Binus study, this data-driven diplomatic approach has attracted the attention of other countries, including the Philippines and South Africa, which are now adopting similar steps. Indonesia is setting an example of how technology can bolster economic strategies and national policies in the face of global competition," said Alexander, who is also the Head of the Data Science Program at Binus University.Alexander also noted that the benefits of AI in business decision-making have been widely discussed in international journals. One such example is the research "Artificial Intelligence for the Real World" by Davenport and Ronanki, which emphasizes that AI provides faster and more accurate insights, enabling organizations to leverage data effectively and improve operational efficiency.Another relevant publication is McKinsey's "The State of AI in Early 2024," which projects that over 65% of organizations across various sectors will begin adopting AI to support strategic decision-making. While this is a global trend, several studies have highlighted similar patterns in Indonesia, particularly in the financial and manufacturing sectors. However, despite the widespread discussion about AI’s role in decision-making, research specifically focusing on the downstreaming of raw materials, diplomacy, and the related legal framework remains limited.Despite its clear advantages, AI-based downstreaming also faces challenges. The processing of minerals like nickel requires environmentally friendly technologies to minimize harmful waste. Increased mining exploitation needs to be balanced with strict regulations and sustainable technologies.“By combining AI with strong regulations, we can mitigate environmental risks while ensuring that mineral downstreaming supports inclusive national economic development,” added Alexander.Through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates technology, law, and international business, Indonesia has created a downstreaming policy that adapts to global dynamics. The Binus study states that this success opens up opportunities for Indonesia not only to become a global manufacturing hub but also a leader in technology-driven resource management."With AI as a key driver, Indonesia’s mineral downstreaming now has a stronger foundation to face global challenges, attract foreign investment, and create new jobs. However, the sustainability of this policy still depends on the synergy between technology, stakeholder collaboration, and adherence to environmental regulations," concluded Alexander.

In 2025, Indonesia will further solidify its position as a key player in the global mineral processing industry, thanks to the world’s largest copper smelter with a single-line facility.Quoted from TIMENEWS.CO.ID via YouTube joziya on Thursday, January 2, 2025, the smelter plant located in Gresik, East Java, has now become one of the nation’s proud achievements. This smelter is not just an industrial facility, but also a symbol of Indonesia’s self-reliance in processing domestic mineral resources.This ambitious project began in October 2021 and has now reached a significant milestone with the commencement of the first copper cathode production on September 23, 2024.The presence of this smelter was inaugurated by the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, marking Indonesia's commitment to strengthening the downstream industrial sector of its mineral resources.This smelter is capable of refining up to 1.7 million tons of copper concentrate into 600,000 tons of copper cathodes annually, making it one of the largest and most efficient in the world.The choice of Gresik as the location for the smelter was not a random decision. Gresik, located in East Java, is a hub for large industries and has the infrastructure to support smooth operations.In addition, Gresik is home to major companies such as Petrokimia Gresik and Semen Indonesia, which require by-products from the copper smelting process as raw materials for their industries.The copper by-products generated by this smelter are used in the production of mobile phones, electronic devices, and automotive products.Thus, the presence of this smelter plays a role not only in enhancing Indonesia's competitiveness in the global market but also in supporting the needs of domestic industries.This smelter is capable of refining up to 1.7 million tons of copper concentrate into 600,000 tons of copper cathodes annually, making it one of the largest and most efficient in the world.The decision to locate the smelter in Gresik was a strategic one. Situated in East Java, Gresik is a hub for major industries and boasts the infrastructure necessary to ensure smooth operations.With advanced technology, this copper smelter is capable of producing high-quality copper cathodes needed by global industries, including for the production of cables, batteries, and electronics.The presence of this giant copper smelter brings many benefits to Indonesia's economy.In addition to increasing the added value of mineral resources, this smelter also accelerates domestic industrialization, reduces dependence on raw material exports, and creates new job opportunities.The increasingly efficient copper refining process will open new opportunities across various industrial sectors, ranging from telecommunications to heavy equipment manufacturing.However, like other heavy industries, the operation of the copper smelter also faces several challenges. The melting process, which involves extremely high temperatures, requires a high level of caution.Smelter workers must undergo specialized training and always wear personal protective equipment that meets the required standards.In addition, the company must regularly conduct inspections and maintenance on heavy equipment and other supporting facilities to ensure smooth and safe operations.The presence of the copper smelter in Gresik demonstrates that Indonesia is beginning to take serious steps in utilizing its natural resource potential.Instead of exporting raw materials, Indonesia is now striving to process them into high-value products that can enhance competitiveness and create new economic opportunities.This smelter also serves as an example for other mineral processing industries, such as nickel, tin, and gold, which can be processed in a similar way.