Fortescue Metals Group Ltd and Liebherr Australia Pty Ltd today signed an agreement for the development and supply of mining haul trucks integrating zero emission power system technologies being developed by Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) and Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE). Liebherr has now released an additional statement detailing some of the next steps. IM Editorial Director Paul Moore was there on the historic occasion in person, shown in the attached photo with the senior executives on the day including Dr Willi Liebherr, Liebherr Group Chairman; Andrew Forrest, Fortescue Metals Group Chairman and Founder; Oliver Weiss, Executive Vice President R&D, Engineering and Manufacturing at Liebherr Mining; and Dr Joerg Lukowski, Liebherr Mining Vice President.The partnership between Fortescue and Liebherr tackles the challenge of decarbonising heavy mobile equipment in the mining industry. It will support global initiatives to reduce emissions and it will enable both Fortescue and Liebherr’s Mining product segment to achieve their respective commitments to address global emissions. The partnership will draw from Liebherr’s industry-leading equipment and technology and FFI’s expertise in green technologies to deliver zero emission mining equipment.The phased supply of haul trucks is anticipated to commence following a two-year joint development period enabling the development and integration of Fortescue’s proprietary-owned battery electric and fuel cell electric power system, into Liebherr’s proprietary-owned base truck. To achieve the target Liebherr will use its vast OEM expertise in the design and manufacturing of machinery and machinery core technology, such as electric drive systems, engines, hydraulics and electronics to engineer, manufacture and supply the new mining haul trucks, in accordance with Fortescue’s requirements.  Liebherr will integrate the zero emission power system technologies being developed by Fortescue Future Industries and Williams Advanced Engineering into its 240 t class T 264 haul truck.Partners for successLiebherr is implementing their defined “Mining Zero Emission Program.” Where the first step was to build the electrified mining product range and the second step is to offer complete fossil fuel free mining equipment for haulage, digging, and dozing by 2030. On this pathway, focus is on modularisation to allow the integration of energy type agnostic power trains including alternative fuel combustion engines, battery and fuel cells. Liebherr’s partnership with Fortescue is a key component of this program.“This project provides an excellent opportunity for us to accelerate the integration of clean energy battery and fuel cell power systems into our mining equipment, which supports our vision and defined strategy to offer future zero emission equipment with the best suitable power train technologies,” said Weiss. “As a leader in green technologies for the international heavy industry and a world class mining owner-operator, Fortescue is an ideal partner for decarbonised mining equipment and technology initiatives, sharing the same vision as us.”The partnership will also assist the future evolution of the Liebherr business. “A mining product that will be developed through a close partnership of two tier one companies, including access to the latest zero emission technology, will create an immense industry opportunity and demand,” said Lukowski. “It also supports our future investment as we expand Liebherr’s already extensive manufacturing capability including at our truck facility in Newport News Virginia USA, and of course into our service and support network in Australia.”Fortescue Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Gaines said: “The signing of this contract with Liebherr marks a significant step in the delivery of our industry leading decarbonisation target to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. We look forward to working with Liebherr and WAE to develop and deploy some of the world’s first zero emission large mining haul trucks in our operations, while also establishing an important new business growth opportunity for Fortescue as we diversify to become an integrated green energy and resources company.”Fortescue Chairman and Founder Dr Andrew Forrest said: “We are on a march to achieve net zero by 2030, strengthening the economics of our business and making our products acceptable to a zero pollution future. Every day our Fortescue and FFI family take forward the technology, hard work, and willpower of going green, the world mining industry takes one step closer to being the first globally leading industry to go fully green.”Source: https://im-mining.com/2022/06/15/liebherr-details-green-mining-truck-deal-with-fortescue-t-264-to-form-base-truck-prototype-in-the-works/

Last week, the government of Indonesia said that they will welcome electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers such as South Korea’s LG and Taiwan’s Foxconn to the country’s second development phase of its Batang Integrated Industrial Estate (KITB) in Central Java. The 1,000 hectares of the integrated production facility, specifically for electric battery production, is said to be the first in the world.The industrial estate is basically a part of the country’s effort to build a large-scale EV ecosystem covering the upstream to downstream sectors. Considering also how Indonesia has been courting Tesla to set up its presence in the country, Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan recently announced that the government had proposed to Tesla to build a factory in Batang regency, with an annual capacity of roughly 500,000 EVs.For starters, the location is considered suitable because of its proximity to the geothermal power sources that are estimated to be able to supply 400 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity. The US$9.8 billion project is aimed at producing 3.5 million EV batteries annually in collaboration with state-owned nickel and gold mining firm PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) and EV battery holding company Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC).“LG’s investment […] in Indonesia is the first investment in the world that integrates nickel mining, smelter construction, as well as precursor and cathode factories, not to mention the battery recycling industry,” President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said during the launching ceremony last week. In a recent article by Jakarta Post, Luhut told lawmakers during a meeting with the House of Representatives Budget Commission Indonesia that “We could […] channel this green energy [to Tesla’s factory].” To recall, in May when President Jokowi visited the US, he separately met Tesla CEO Elon Musk to reiterate Indonesia’s invitation for investments. Indonesia officials stated that the meeting between the both came after a round of working-level discussions on a potential investment in Indonesia’s nickel industry and supply of batteries for EVs. Apart from Batang, Luhut said the carmaker had shown interest in the North Kalimantan Green Industrial Park, which has been under construction since December last year. Otherwise, Luhut has so far not been able to provide details on a possible Tesla investment, saying the government had signed a nondisclosure agreement with the company. Apparently, Tesla had also shown interest in developing the semiconductor industry in Indonesia but did not divulge details, citing a confidentiality agreement as well. In short, Indonesia has not given up and is still up for trying to secure a deal with Tesla. In contrast, talks with Musk’s satellite-based internet provider Starlink had progressed further. Luhut noted that a deal on Starlink had been discussed with the President on Monday, while both sides were discussing technical issues in JakartaBesides Tesla, Luhut shared that Ford Motor Company is also planning to enter Indonesia’s EV industry, with representatives of the US carmaker said to be visiting Indonesia on June 20, with interest in the EV industry from upstream to downstream. “The company wants to invest in [the EV industry] end-to-end,” Luhut added.Source: https://techwireasia.com/2022/06/indonesia-woos-tesla-to-set-up-factory-in-its-industrial-estates/

PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk (MDKA) estimates that the current year’s gold production will be depleted by 100,000-120,000 ounces as the mining activities will take place deeper into the pit.After the General Shareholders Meeting last week, Simon James Milroy, Vice Director of Merdeka Copper Gold, explained that the realisation of MDKA’s gold production last year hit 125,000 ounces of gold, accompanied with all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of USD 860 per ounce of gold. The realisation of production level last year actually surpassed the installed production rate of 100,000-120,000 ounces of gold, predicting the AISC to arrive between USD 825-900 per ounce of gold. However, this year’s AISC is set to USD 1,000-1,100 per ounce of gold.In Q1 2022, MDKA managed to produce 33,96 ounces of gold. This realisation was reportedly 104.8% higher than the production in the same period in 2021 of 16,585 ounces. As of March 31, 2022, approximately 49,217 ounces of gold has been hedged with an average price of USD 1,864 per ounce from April 2022 to June 2023.Meanwhile, MDKA’s other mining produce in Wetar Copper mine is expected to generate 18,000 to 22,000 tons of copper with an AISC of USD 3.10 to 3.40 per pounds of copper. Accoring to Milroy, said target is upgraded from the realisation of last year’s production.Source: https://www.idnfinancials.com/news/43324/deeper-pit-mdkas-production-target-readjusted

The establishment of the Coal Public Service Agency (BLU) is currently ongoing and almost complete. Business actors also hope that the presence of the Coal BLU can help the process of fulfilling coal for domestic needs, especially the electricity sector.Executive Director of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI) Hendra Sinadia said that his party appreciated the step of establishing this BLU. "The hope is that later suppliers and PLN will not be harmed," explained Hendra to Kontan, Sunday (12/6).Hendra added, thus the supply of coal for the electricity sector can run smoothly. Hendra ensured that APBI was invited several times to discuss the formation of this coal BLU. There are a number of things that have been highlighted and proposed by APBI in the formation of this BLU. Hendra said that the presence of BLU is expected to run transparently. This transparency includes the determination of the timing of payment of compensation funds.In addition, business actors in the mining sector also highlighted the inclusion of non-electricity industries in this BLU scheme. "The basis for the formation of the BLU is to overcome problems in the supply of coal to PLN. The inclusion of the non-electricity industry in the compensation fund scheme handled by the BLU needs to be reviewed," concluded Hendra.Source: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/apbi-soroti-sejumlah-hal-dalam-pembentukan-blu-batubara

The development of the project in the Pomalaa Block has received serious attention from the management of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (PT Vale) and its partner Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Company Limited (Huayou). For two days, from Wednesday to Thursday (9/6/), the Chairman of Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Company Limited Chen Xuehua (Chairman Chen) together with the CEO of PT Vale, Febriany Eddy met with the Regent of Kolaka, Ahmad Safei to ensure that the project would immediately start operating.Chairman Chen and his entourage specifically flew from Zhejiang, China, and landed in Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi. They visited project sites including ports, mining areas, and the planned HPAL Plant area.During this visit, PT Vale and Huayou reaffirmed their commitment and solidity, so that the project in the Pomalaa Block can be realized immediately, and operate in the spirit of sustainability. "The project in Pomalaa is not 'will be' but 'is' in the construction stage," said Febrianny in his statement, Monday (13/6). The Regent of Kolaka, Ahmad Safei hopes that the project will start operating soon so that local people can be assigned as workers. "PT Vale is expected to realize the factory in Kolaka more quickly. With the establishment of the factory, it will empower local communities so that unemployment and poverty can be reduced," said Safei."If PT Vale needs assistance, the Kolaka Regency Government is ready to help in accordance with its authority," he added. Chairman Chen also stated the same thing. According to him, PT Vale has succeeded in cooperating with the local community in accelerating the completion of this project.“We see a good collaboration, a good collaboration between Vale and the surrounding community, so we will also feel calmer.” Meanwhile, Huayou VP Gao Baojun said that investing in the Pomalaa block was the best decision. He hopes that this project has optimal Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects.“After a direct visit to the Pomalaa Block, Huayou is increasingly optimistic that investing in Pomalaa is a good decision, and this project is one of the best for Huayou. During the implementation of the (Project) later, related to the implementation of the ESG component and also for the social and communication section, cooperation from Vale is also needed to jointly realize better ESG performance," he explained.As INFORMATION, the agreement between PT Vale Indonesia began with the signing of the cooperation framework with Huayou on April 27, 2022. In the framework of the cooperation, Huayou will build a High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) factory with technology and processes according to world-class standards.Meanwhile, PT Vale Indonesia plays a role in mining nickel in the form of limonite ore and low grade saprolite ore. The HPAL operation in the Pomalaa Block targets a production capacity of up to 120,000 metric tons of Nickel per year.PT Vale and Huayou agreed to cooperate with a low-carbon scheme. Both are committed to not using coal as a raw material for power generation at all. In other words, PT Vale and Huayou will look for alternative energy sources that are more environmentally friendly to minimize the carbon footprint of mining operations in this region. Source: https://www.tambang.co.id/kunjunggi-blok-pomalaa-vale-dan-huayou-pastikan-proyek-segera-beroperasi

The East Belitung District Government, Bangka Belitung Islands, will introduce the Nam Salu Open Pit Geosite, a historic tin ore mining tourism site to the delegates of Indonesia's G20 Presidency in 2022. "East Belitung is included as the destination for G20 delegates, so we focus on introducing historical mining attraction," the East Belitung Regional Secretary, Ikhwan Fahrozi, said in Manggar, Sunday.Fahrozi explained, based on the schedule he received, the G20 delegates' meeting in East Belitung, known as the Rainbow Troops Land, will last for three days. "The schedule we received says the G20 agenda in East Belitung is only three days, but that can change. What is certain is we are also involved as hosts in this international event," he said.Moreover, Fahrozi said, the local government is more focused on promoting the tin ore or cassiterite mining tourist destination, which is considered to have an important history. "Looking at the historical traces, the Nam Salu Open Pit Geosite is the deepest and largest open-pit tin mining tourist destination in Southeast Asia, which is about 100 meters," he explained.The geological site, which is located in Senyubok Village, Kelapa Kampit Sub-District, East Belitung, was operated from 1980 to 1993 and had produced 500 thousand tons of tin ore with 2-percent grade. "This is the largest primary tin ore deposit in a single mine ever discovered," Fahrozi said. Meanwhile, the East Belitung Tourism and Culture Office has prepared booklets for the G20 delegates."In September 2022, we will also hold the Jelajah Pesona Jalur Rempah or the "Explore the Spice Route" activity to welcome G20 guests," Secretary of the East Belitung Tourism and Culture Office Hendri informed. In addition, Hendri said, the geological museum will also be revamped to make it more worth visiting because it is located close to the geosite.Source: https://en.antaranews.com/news/233853/nam-salu-open-pit-geosite-to-be-introduced-to-g20-delegates-official

 PT Harum Energy Tbk (HRUM), a coal and nickel mining company, sets eyes on the electric vehicle industry as an option for its business diversification in the new ecosystem. Ray Antonio Gunara, President Director of HRUM, announced the statement in a public expose quoted Friday (10/6).“The company does not rule out the possibility of branching the business out to the new and renewable energy industry, both in the downstream or the upstream sector,” Gunara added. According to Gunara, the company has been investing in the upstream and midstream sectors of the energy and mineral industry, going in accordance with the company’s background. However, this time, his company is open to the opportunity to explore the electric vehicle industry.HRUM is known to manage and operate coal mines in East and Central Kalimantan, as well as nickel ore mines in East and Central Halmahera, Maluku, and Morowali Industrial Park, Central Sulawesi. At the end of the first quarter of 2022, the company had used up USD 1.1 billion from this year’s total projected capital expenditure of USD 25 billion.Source: https://www.idnfinancials.com/news/43307/harum-energy-prospects-electric-vehicles

This year is the momentum for PTMerdeka CopperGold Tbk (MDKA) boost performance. The company has prepared a capital expenditure (capex) of USD 390 million until mid-2023 to finance a number of projects."We are preparing the required capex for existing operations . Regarding investment projects, we estimate that we will invest USD 50 billion for feasibility studies and start drilling for gold mines during 2022," said MDKA Director David Thomas Fowler in a public expose, Friday (10/6).MDKA currently has several main assets, namely the Tujuh Bukit Copper Project, the Nickel Mining and Refining Asset Project, the Pani Gold Project, and the Wetar Acid Iron Metal Project in Morowali.Other assets in the form ofMineGoldSeven Hills, Wetar Copper Mine. The Tujuh Bukit Copper Project is one of the world's top undeveloped gold and copper mineral resources, containing approximately 8.2 million tonnes of copper and 28.6 million ounces of gold.PT Bumi Suksesindo Seven Hill gold mine area, a subsidiary of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk (MDKA) in Banyuwangi, East Java, Monday (23/7/2018) Photo: Ema Fitriyani/kumparan"At the Tujuh Bukit Gold Mine, gold production in 2022 is expected to be in the range of 100k to 120k gold ounces with an AISC of USD 1,000 to USD 1,100 per ounce gold," said MDKA Deputy Director Simon James Milroy.During the first quarter of 2022, the company has successfully acquired 50 percent ownership of Lion Selection Asia Limited (LSA) in PT Pani Bersama Jaya (PBJ), which has increased MDKA's economic ownership in the Pani Gold Project to 70 percent.MDKA has also completed the acquisition of a 55.67 percent stake in PT Hamparan Logistik Nusantara through its subsidiary, PT Batutua Tembaga Abadi. HLN has acquired a nickel mining project with the world's largest nickel ore reserves and operating nickel refining assets.Source: https://kumparan.com/kumparanbisnis/merdeka-copper-siapkan-capex-usd-390-juta-hingga-pertengahan-2023-1yFKEk0WkEK/full

PT Kapuas Prima Coal Tbk ( ZINC ), a listed base metal producer in Indonesia, continues to intensify lead smelter production, which has been trialled since early 2022. This is one of ZINC's efforts to support the mineral downstream process set by the Government.Previously, the Government had started to implement export ban regulations for certain mineral commodities that did not meet the purification level. Therefore, business actors in the mining sector are required to immediately complete the smelter project within the given time limit in order to continue to receive an export quota.ZINC as one of the issuers that produces metallic minerals ranging from lead, zinc and iron ore, continues to carry out various efforts to realize the regulations made by the Government. Where, ZINC has completed the construction of one of the smelters, namely the lead smelter, and has started commercial operations in early June 2022.In addition, ZINC is currently pursuing the completion of a zinc smelter which is targeted to be completed in the second quarter of 2023. Evelyn Kioe, as Director of ZINC, expressed her gratitude because this year she was able to complete one of the lead smelters in Central Kalimantan."Despite being constrained by Covid-19, at the beginning of this year we finally started to test production and in May 2022, the lead smelter has been verified 100% by PT Surveyor Indonesia and PT Kapuas Prima Citra officially operating commercially. As the first lead smelter and the only one in Indonesia, we target this year the lead smelter can produce up to 8,000 tons of lead bullion (Pb), with a sales target of the smelter reaching USD 29 million," he said in an official statement received by Kontan, Friday (10/6).Meanwhile, for the ZINC zinc smelter, currently the construction process has reached around 85%. Later, the smelter is targeted to produce up to 30,000 tons of ingots per year. The existence of the Company's zinc smelter is expected to help meet the demand for zinc commodities in the country, where until now this commodity is still 100% imported.On the other hand, until the first quarter of 2022, ZINC recorded sales of Rp. 204.5 billion. ZINC's revenue in the first quarter of 2022 was still dominated by sales of zinc (Zn) commodities with a contribution of IDR 95.1 billion, while sales of lead (Pb) commodities reached IDR 31.6 billion. ZINC's revenue also came from sales of silver commodities amounting to Rp39.2 billion, as well as sales of iron concentrate which was recorded at Rp38.6 billion."We are optimistic that, with the economy starting to recover and Covid-19 increasingly under control, ZINC can continue its good performance growth until the end of 2022. Supported by commodity prices that are still stable, we are optimistic that we can achieve our sales target of up to IDR 1.2 trillion by 2020. 2022," Evelyne concluded.Source: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/kapuas-prima-coal-zinc-gencarkan-produksi-smelter-timbal-pertama-di-indonesia

PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR), the manager of the Martabe gold mine , confirmed its commitment to preserving the environment, through the planting of 200 tree seedlings with the local government and community leaders, centered at SMKN 2 Mining Batangtoru, South Tapanuli Regency, Sumatra. North, Monday (6/6/2022). The tree planting activity was also accompanied by the delivery of 1,200 tree seedlings to communities around the Batangtoru and Muara Batangtoru mines.General Manager Operations of PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) Rahmat Lubis, said that nature conservation is a series of efforts to protect the ability of the environment against the impacts of climate change. "It is our collective responsibility to protect it," he said in a written statement on Wednesday (8/6/2022).The action of PT Agincourt Resources was carried out in commemoration of World Environment Day 2022 with the theme "Only One Earth" which was declared by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). This theme is an appeal to preserve the earth for a shared future while at the same time highlighting the need for sustainable living in harmony with nature.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has decided to use the theme “One Earth for the Future.”To date, PT Agincourt Resources has planted more than 41,000 tree seedlings. In the PTAR nursery facilities, more than 5,000 local plant seeds have also been prepared."PT Agincourt Resources is committed to managing the environment and biodiversity in accordance with good mining principles, we are also working with several universities in the fields of education, science, research, and biodiversity conservation," said Rahmat.The universities in question include the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), National University (Unas), North Sumatra University (USU), South Tapanuli Muhammadiyah University (UMTS), and Aufa Royhan University (UNAR) in Padangsidimpuan.In collaboration with the university, a number of activities have been held, including a survey of the composition and diversity of flora and fauna at the planned location of the Martabe Gold Mine development. In addition, pre-land clearing fauna inspection training was held with forestry experts from the USU Faculty of Forestry.The Regent of South Tapanuli, Dolly Pasaribu, emphasized that Environment Day is a reminder for all parties to be jointly responsible for preserving the environment. He gave his appreciation for the movement in society that aims to create a sustainable environment in South Tapanuli."We appreciate the commitment of PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) as a mining company that shows its commitment to maintaining environmental sustainability," said Dolly.