PT Bukit Asam Tbk. (PTBA) indicates an increase in production in 2024 in line with the growth of coal train transportation capacity to 52 million tons.Setiadi Wicaksono, Plh. PTBA's SVP Project Magament Office, said that along with increasing PTBA production, the company is also increasing its rail transport capacity.Currently, PTBA has operated 2 coal railway lines, namely Tanjung Enim-Tarahan with a capacity of 25 million tons per year, and Tanjung Enim-Kertapati with 7 million tons per year, bringing the total to 32 million tons per year.In 2024, PTBA will develop 1 additional coal railway line, namely the Tanjung Enim-Keramasan route with a capacity of 20 million tons per year. It is hoped that the new line will be operational in the fourth quarter of 2024."Therefore, PTBA's coal train capacity can reach 52 million tons per year in 2024," he said in Public Expose Live 2023, Monday (27/11/2023).In the long term, PTBA will add a coal train route to the Tanjung Enim-Perajen route with a capacity of 20 million tons per year. This project is expected to operate in the third quarter of 2026.Farida Thamrin, Director of Finance and Risk Management at PTBA, said that the company has the largest coal reserves in Indonesia with total mined reserves of 3.02 billion tons and total resources of 5.85 billion tons. With an estimated production of 30 million tons per year, the total reserves are sufficient for 100 years.However, PTBA certainly wants to capitalize on coal reserves more quickly. Therefore, PTBA is gradually increasing production capacity and also coal transportation via train.As of September 2023, PTBA produced 31.9 million tons of coal, up 15% year on year (yoy) from 27.7 million tons as of September 2022. PTBA's coal sales volume also rose 15% yoy to 27 million tons from the previous 23 .5 million tonnes, and rail transport volume of 23.7 million tonnes, up 12% from the previous 21.1 million tonnes."By the end of 2023, we are targeting coal production of 41 million tons. PTBA wants to gradually increase its production capacity," he explained.PTBA's coal production has tended to increase in the last 3 years. In 2022, coal production will reach 37.14 million tons, in 2021 it will reach 30.04 million tons, and in 2020 (at the peak of Covid-19) it will reach 24.82 million tons.The majority of PTBA coal products range from 4,000-5,000 kacl/kg. According to Farida, PTBA's coal calorie variations are increasingly attracting the interest of a wider range of consumers.Coal PricesWeakening global coal prices also put pressure on PTBA's financial performance even though operational performance increased.Farida Thamrin said that demand for coal until the fourth quarter of 202 is estimated to still be quite high, especially from India, due to the arrival of winter and low coal stocks at PLTUs. Apart from that, there is the potential for increased demand from Japan, South Korea and several European countries.However, Newcastle coal prices are predicted to still weaken in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to the decline in demand for high calorie coal in Europe. It is estimated that the price of coal is around USD 130-140 per ton.Throughout 9 months of 2023, the average price of Newcastle coal has fallen 48% to USD 185 per ton. The average selling price of PTBA coal as of September 2023 is IDR 1.3 million per ton, down from 1 million tons as of September 2022.During the January-September 2023 period, PTBA recorded a net profit of IDR 3.8 trillion or a decrease of 62% compared to the same period the previous year of IDR 10 trillion. Apart from that, PTBA also posted a 12.16% decline in revenue to IDR 27.7 trillion from the previous IDR 31.1 trillion.To get around the decline in coal prices, continued Farida, PTBA carried out load efficiency, optimized mining digitalization, and spurred exports."As of September 2023, the portion of export sales will increase by 15% to 42%, compared to the previous year's 38%. One way for PTBA to deal with the decline in coal prices is to increase exports so that performance is maintained," he explained.The majority of PTBA's sales in the export market are India 14%, followed by South Korea 8%, China 7%, Cambodia 3%, and other countries 10%. According to Farida, PTBA also has a number of customers from European countries.Image source: Aprianto Cahyo NugrohoSource: www.market.bisnis.com/PTBA Targetkan Kapasitas KA Batu Bara 52 Juta Ton pada 2024

Ford Motor Co. will take a direct stake in a battery-nickel plant under construction in Indonesia, deepening its role in the supply chain as carmakers try to secure materials for electric vehicles.The US automaker joins PT Vale Indonesia and China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. as investors in a project to make an annual 120,000 tons of nickel chemicals for EV batteries, according to a joint statement from the companies. The Pomalaa plant is expected to start commercial production in 2026, with total investment at 67.5 trillion rupiah (USD 4.5 billion).The statement did not disclose each company’s share of the investment.Global carmakers are racing to ensure long-term flows of materials like lithium, cobalt and nickel as demand balloons. While direct investments in mines or refineries are still rare, General Motors Co. has invested in a US lithium miner while Tesla Inc. is interested in buying a lithium producer.Indonesia is becoming a major source of battery-ready nickel following a wave of refinery investments in the minerals-rich country, mostly by Chinese companies. Ford, which plans to make 2 million EVs a year by the end of 2026, already had an agreement with Huayou to take battery materials derived from the Pomalaa plant.“This framework gives Ford direct control to source the nickel we need — in one of the industry’s lowest-cost ways — and allows us to ensure the nickel is mined in line with our company’s sustainability targets,” Lisa Drake, vice president for Ford Model e EV industrialization, said in the statement.Pomalaa is a long-delayed project, and an example of earlier efforts to use “high-pressure acid leaching” technology, or HPAL, to make nickel chemicals from low-grade ores. There are now a number of HPAL plants ramping up in the Southeast Asian nation, but there are still concerns about their environmental credentials.“The technology remains difficult to develop and ramp up and manage, compared to other conventional nickel production methods and processes,” said Allan Ray Restauro, analyst at BloombergNEF.Image source: BloombergSource: www.finance.yahoo.com/Ford Takes Stake in Indonesia Nickel Project

Harita Group nickel issuer PT Trimegah Bangun Persada Tbk. (NCKL) acquired PT Gane Tambang Sentosa with a transaction value of IDR 7.9 billion. This action will increase the company's nickel reserves.Harita Nickel management said that the acquisition of 99% shares in PT Gane Tambang Sentosa which is located on Obi Island, South Halmahera, North Maluku will increase nickel ore reserves to 302 million wmt."[This addition] will make Harita Nickel the 5th largest nickel mining company in Indonesia based on resources," said management in an official statement, quoted Thursday (30/11/2023). PT GTS has a non-operating nickel mining concession with an area of ​​2,314 hectares with an IUP valid until 2040. NCKL plans to carry out drilling activities to determine the size of nickel ore reserves and resources.At the same time, Harita Nickel also increased its share ownership in PT Gane Permai Sentosa (GPS) from 70% to 99%. Apart from increasing nickel ore resources and reserves , the acquisition worth IDR 48.8 billion is expected to strengthen the financial contribution to NCKL.At the end of November 2023, NCKL has estimated nickel ore reserves of around 302 million wmt. By carrying out further exploration at the 4 mines owned, namely PT Obi Anugerah Mineral, PT Jikodolong Mega Pertiwi, PT Karya Tambang Sentosa, and PT Gane Tambang Sentosa, the nickel ore reserves needed by the Harita Nickel subsidiary will increase. PT GTS and PT GPS are affiliated companies of Harita Nickel. The acquisition transaction has been carried out transparently in accordance with the assessment of the appointed independent institution from KJPP.As is known, NCKL itself has a Mining Business Permit (IUP) area of ​​around 9,000 hectares, consisting of four mining concessions. Currently, there are two mines that are already operating, and two other mines will be operated to support the supply of nickel ore raw materials in the future. Apart from that, Harita Nickel will also continue to strive to increase mine life and nickel ore reserves by acquiring other mining concessions and collaborating with other local mining companies.Image source: NCKLSource: www.market.bisnis.com/Harita Nickel (NCKL) Akuisisi Tambang Baru, Cadangan Nikel Bertambah

PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITMG), a coal mining issuer, is finalizing capital expenditure (capex) in 2024. The value could be twice as high as in 2023, around USD 44 million. "(Capex) is mainly related to plans to develop several of our new mines, for example PT Graha Panca Karsa (a coal company) which has entered the preparation stage to start commercial operations," said Finance Director of PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITMG) Junius Darmawan in " Pubex Live 2023”, Thursday (30/11/2023).Apart from that, capex expenditure will be used for infrastructure needs, including port construction, haul roads and crushing plan facilities. Infrastructure will be focused on the PT Trubaindo Coal Mining and PT Bharinto Ekatama business entities in the Melak area, West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan in order to increase production capacity."We will increase production capacity next year so we need to develop related capacity, especially at the jetty port ," said Junius.The company also uses capital expenditure for the construction of solar panels related to the company's transition plan in the field of new renewable energy (EBT). "Subsidiaries, namely PT Cahaya Power Indonesia and PT Suryanesia, have received several contracts for the construction of solar rooftops," he said Image source: Beritasatu.comSource: www.beritasatu.com/2024, Capex Indo Tambang Bisa Naik Dua Kali Lipat Tembus US$ 88 Juta

Meulaboh: Increasing the target amount of coal production each year has serious technical challenges, one of which concerns maintaining company assets which have an important function and role in the company's operational production chain. To answer these challenges, in 2023 PT Mifa Bersaudara carried out a maintenance method on one of the important assets in the production chain, namely in the Jetty port area to maximize the effectiveness of the coal barging process. Group Head Maintenance, Infrastructure, & GA PT Mifa Bersaudara, Mirza explained that the continuation of this method is to carry out a control system through an integrated management system in the Jetty area.Group Head Maintenance, Infrastructure, & GA PT Mifa Bersaudara, Mirza when explaining his innovation (Photo: Doc.PT Mifa)"We will see how the Jetty performs. What maintenance and protection systems have been implemented, whether they are effective or not, so that we can gain more effective control over the condition of the Jetty," said Mirza. It is hoped that with this system being implemented in the future, the Jetty, which is a unit of components which are quite critical, can also be controlled more optimally, so that the Jetty can be optimized for PT Mifa's operational needs. "We plan to install and manufacture the Jetty structure integrated management system with the hope that the Jetty's life time will be in accordance with planning or even more, and the maintenance process will also be precise and scheduled according to needs," said Mirza.Image source: PT MifaSource: www.medcom.id/Digitalisasi Sistem Perawatan Pelabuhan Jetty Batu Bara PT Mifa Bersaudara

PT United Tractors Tbk. (UNTR) announced that it had acquired the Stargate mine for IDR 3.22 trillion.UNTR acquired PT Stargate Pacific Resources (SPR) which is owned by PT Anugerah Surya Pacific Resources (ASPR) and PT Anugerah Surya Investama (ASI). Meanwhile, UNTR acquired Stargate through PT Danusa Tambang Nusantara (DTN), whose shares are controlled by the company.The mining issuer acquired Stargate by carrying out two transactions. First, UNTR acquired 70% of Stargate shares from ASPR for 69.9991% of shares owned and ASI for 0.0009% of shares amounting to IDR 3.18 trillion.Then, UNTR acquired 69% of the shares owned by ASPR in Stargate Mineral Asia (SMA) and 1% of the shares owned by SPR for the takeover of shares in SMA amounting to IDR 41.9 billion.This amount is equivalent to 70% of all issued and fully paid share capital in SMA.Previously, United Tractors Corporate Secretary Sara K. Loebis said that PT Danusa Tambang Nusantara (DTN) signed a share sale and purchase agreement (conditional share sale and purchase agreement t/CSPA) for Anugerah Surya Pacific shares on October 16 2023.DTN bought 33.33% of Anugerah Surya Pacific (ASPR) shares from PT Kalira Pascama (KP), 16.67% shares from PT Bintang Prima Investama (BPI), and 16 shares from PT Anugerah Dayakaya Angkasa (ADA). 67% shares."The aim of this transaction is to add to UNTR's diversified portfolio of business activities as part of a sustainable strategy and continue the broader development of the business group in the nickel sector ," said Sara in an information disclosure, Wednesday (18/10/2023).After signing the entire CSPA, said Sara, both DTN and ASPR, KP, BPI and ADA will fulfill the preliminary conditions (condition precedents ) with the final date for completion falling no later than December 31, 2023 or at another time agreed by DTN and ASPR , KP, BPI and ADA.For your information, UNTR previously established strategic cooperation with ASPR in December 2022. At that time, UNTR acquired the nickel mining company PT Stargate Pacific Resources (SPR) and the nickel processing company (smelter) PT Stargate Mineral Asia (SMA) on December 3 2022, with total transactions of IDR 4.27 trillion.Stargate Pacific Resources is a nickel mining company located in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi. SPR is a company resulting from a merger or joint venture between Risjadson Group, Indonesia and Glencore International AG, Switzerland.In April 2017, Anugerah Surya Pacific Resources (ASPR) took 100 percent ownership in Stargate, with the aim of developing the Stargate nickel project from a mining operation only, to processing nickel for ferronickel and new energy nickel battery materials.SPR is the holder of a mining permit on land with an area of ​​around 1,647 hectares (ha).In 2021, ASPR itself is known to be building a ferronickel smelter which produces nickel pig iron and an industrial area in North Konawe ASPIRE Stargate Industrial Park through SMA.Image source: UNTRSource: www.market.bisnis.com/United Tractor (UNTR) Resmi Akuisisi Tambang Nikel Stargate Rp3,22 Triliun

Global-top-10 nickel producer Nickel Industries (NIC) has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action, vowing to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon intensity by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050.The company made the announcement at the World Climate Action Summit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the weekend, where it was one of only two Indonesian mining operators in attendance.Managing Director Justin Werner said Nickel Industries was proudly taking a leadership role in advancing the sustainability of Indonesia’s nickel industry.“Nickel Industries is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and developing products essential for the global energy transition and the sustainability of our operating environment,’’ Mr Werner said.Since its Initial Public Offering, Nickel Industries has established itself as a globally significant nickel pig iron (NPI) producer and has recently diversified into the ‘Class 1’ nickel electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain by converting some of its current production into nickel matte and acquiring an interest in the operating Huayue Nickel Cobalt high pressure acid leach (HPAL) project (HNC).“Each incremental unit of HPAL nickel production decreases Nickel Industries’ carbon intensity, plus we have industry best practice tailings storage via dry-stack storage across our HPAL operations,’’ Mr Werner said.“We are implementing the most advanced third-generation HPAL processes with power consumption 70% lower than other HPAL plants and carbon emissions one-tenth of similar pyrometallurgical plants.“These and other measures, including the adoption of renewable power sources across NIC’s operation to further de-carbonise puts us on track to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon intensity by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050,” Mr Werner said.Nickel Industries’ commitment to a material reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is further evidenced by its 2022 binding agreement with renewable energy company PT Sumber Energi Surya Nusantara (SESNA) to develop, install, operate and maintain a 200MWp + 20MWh battery solar project within the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) – the largest solar power project in the country. The project will power the NIC’s Hengjaya, Ranger and Oracle Nickel processing operations.  Heat recovery to reduce coal consumption and transitioning to bio fuels for its mining fleet are other measures Nickel Industries has put in place to reduce its carbon footprint.Nickel Industries has earned numerous accolades for environmental responsibility including the Green Proper Rating from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The Company has rehabilitated around 2000ha in Central Sulawesi, in which more than 2 million trees have been planted since 2019.These efforts will stimulate local economies with projected incomes of USD $535 per hectare which will begin eight years after plantation.“Environmental sustainability is a core part of the Nickel Industries business. The Company is committed to seeking zero harm for the environment and establishing a positive legacy in the regions it operates – from exploration to rehabilitation and closure,’’ Mr Werner said.Image source: NICLSource: ANTARA/Sugiharto Purnama

PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) will use carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology in steam power plants (PLTU) no later than 2060. This is being done to reduce carbon emissions in Indonesia. Bukit Asam President Director Arsal Ismail said that the use of CCS technology in PLTU will be implemented no later than 2060. Currently, Bukit Asam is carrying out a pilot project related to CCS in PLTU. "The plan is for a long-term program or until 2060, CCS can be implemented in existing coal plants," said Arsal in a Hearing Meeting (RDP) with Commission VII DPR RI, Monday (27/11). Arsal said that the program for using CCS in PLTUs will be implemented at the South Sumatra Mine Mouth PLTU 8, and has been included in long-term business planning. "Currently we have just completed the Sumsel-8 Mine Mouth PLTU in collaboration with China Huadian with a capacity of 2x660 Megawatts, and it was operational last October. "This is the biggest one included as a national strategic project (PSN), and this PLTU will be utilized for CCS use," he said.Before using CCS technology in the PLTU, Bukit Asam tried to reduce emissions in its coal plants by using biomass as a co-firing or coal mixture in the PLTU. Not only that, PTBA will also increase the use of hydrogen in mining equipment. "We are also increasing the portion of the new renewable energy (EBT) mix in mining operations," he said.Business Diversification into the EBT SectorArsal said that PTBA has indeed put together a road map for the energy transition until 2060. One of the strategies is to explore business diversification beyond coal, including the development of new renewable energy (EBT) plants. For this reason, he said that up to this year, Bukit Asam has built six Solar Power Plants (PLTS). The details are, two PLTS are commercial projects in collaboration with Jasa Marga and Angkasa Pura (AP) 2, and four PLTS are social responsibility (CSR) projects. "So we continue to push this, because we are targeting revenue from the energy business of 30% by 2030," he said. Although PTBA encourages efforts to reduce emissions, on the other hand he also asks the government to continue to encourage and strengthen regulations for the sustainability of the coal industry to support national energy security while still paying attention to the Net Zero Emission (NZE) target in 2060.Not only that, he also asked the government to support PTBA's assignment to be able to participate in supporting new and renewable energy (EBT) mix targets, for example the provision of EBT in the National Capital City (IKN) of the archipelago.Image source: KatadataSource: www.msn.com/Bukit Asam akan Gunakan Teknologi Penangkapan Karbon di PLTU

Nickel prices reached their lowest point in over two and a half years on Thursday due to persistent worries about oversupply putting pressure on the market.Three-month nickel on the London Metal Exchange fell 0.9% to USD 16,280 per metric ton, its lowest since April 2021, before rebounding to USD 16,405 as of 08:50 GMT, still a decline of 0.2%.The most-traded December nickel contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange closed down 3.2% at 127,720 yuan (USD 17,711.58) a ton.The global nickel market had a surplus of 23,900 metric tons in September, up from a surplus of 14,200 tons in the same month of last year, according to the International Nickel Study Group.That compares with a surplus of 15,300 metric tons in August 2023.During the first nine months of 2023, there was a surplus of 155,000 tons versus a surplus of 60,500 tons in the same period of last year, the data showed.Data in thousands of metric tons: Sept. 2023 Sept. 2022 August 2023 YTD 2023 YTD 2022 Mine production 337.6 298.5 337.6 2,732.8 2,368.1 Refined production 290.9 266.3 289.8 2,457.1 2,234.2 Refined usage 267.0 252.1 274.5 2,302.1 2,173.7 Balance 23.9 14.2 15.3 155.0 60.5 Source: ReutersThe global outlook for primary nickel production anticipates a 10.2% increase in 2022, building on the 5.1% growth observed in 2021 and the substantial 17.3% surge in 2022, as mentioned by the International Nickel Study Group director, Francisco Pinto, in a recent article for Stainless Steel World.The surge in output is primarily attributed to Indonesia. Notably, China is poised to expand its production, particularly in nickel sulfate, rebounding from declines in 2020 and 2021.The combined production of nickel pig iron from Indonesia and China surpassed 1.5 million tons in 2022, with expectations of a further 7% increase in 2023.Image source: GlencoreSource: www.mining.com/Nickel price at lowest since 2021 on oversupply concerns

PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk (MDKA) conveyed the latest developments on a number of its prestigious projects, one of which is the Pani Gold Project. During January-September 2023, MDKA has completed 60,923 meters of drilling, with the next drilling schedule of 14,000 meters to be carried out during the remainder of this year.Results from recent drill holes demonstrate continuity of mineralization and indicate potential for resource expansion.Currently, MDKA is completing a feasibility study to optimize this gold project and build a heap leach with a capacity of 7 metric tons per year, with gold production expected to start at the end of 2025.The Pani Gold Project in Gorontalo will be one of the largest primary gold mines in Indonesia. With mineral resources of 6.6 million ounces of gold, the Pani Gold Project will be a low-cost, long-lived and sustainable gold mine.MDKA, which owns a 70% stake in the Pani Gold Project, has invested more than US$ 100 million to sustain the project until September 2023.Meanwhile, for the Tujuh Bukit Copper project, MDKA is currently completing optimization studies, including the potential to increase metallurgical recovery, increase underground mining production output, and open pit mining for additional copper ore.Underground drilling continues, with mineral resource updates targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2024.Drilling activities during the first nine months of 2023 have been recorded as deep as 26,290 meters and will continue throughout the remainder of this year with plans for further drilling of 10,375 meters.The Tujuh Bukit Copper Project is one of the largest copper projects in the world which is still in the pre-production phase. MDKA has 100% stake in this project. Image source: KONTAN/Akmalal HamdhiSource: www.investasi.kontan.co.id/MDKA Beberkan Perkembangan Proyek Emas Pani dan Tembaga Tujuh Bukit