The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), has classified 47 types of mining commodities as critical minerals. This decision is outlined in Ministerial Decree No.296.K/MB.01/MEM.B/2023 concerning the Determination of Commodity Types Classified as Critical Minerals. Minister of ESDM Arifin Tasrif issued this decree on September 14, 2023.So, what is the reasoning behind the government's classification of these 47 critical mineral commodities?In response to this question, Answering that question, Chairman of Association of Indonesia Mining Professionals (PERHAPI), Rizal Kasli said that one of the reasons behind the designation of 47 types of raw mineral commodities is to support the development of domestic strategic industries."These mineral resources are indeed needed to support domestic strategic industries. Furthermore, they can also contribute to the growth of industrialization in Indonesia," he stated in an interview with CNBC Indonesia on the Mining Zone program, quoted on Friday (October 20, 2023).Rizal mentioned another reason for classifying these 47 critical mineral commodities domestically is to enhance the defense and security sector within the country. This is because the 47 designated critical minerals are considered highly strategic for industrial growth."The urgency of this is indeed necessary because considering these critical minerals, firstly, they are very strategic for industries, especially domestic industries and those related to defense and security," he added.Additionally, Rizal noted that the designation of these 47 critical mineral types indicates a limited domestic supply."Although we have considerable resources and reserves for some groups of these critical minerals, this also needs to be considered for the future," he emphasized.In addition, he assessed that if the types of critical mineral commodities are not determined from now on, there is a possibility that Indonesia could be in short supply, because these minerals are allowed to be traded abroad."If we release them, it means we will not process them domestically, leading to a potential supply shortage in the future," he concluded.As per the Ministerial Decree, this decision was made by considering "that in order to ensure the supply of mineral raw materials for strategic industries in the country and improve the national defense and security economy, it is necessary to establish criteria and classification of minerals classified as critical minerals."The Ministerial Decree from the Ministry of ESDM comprises six key points. In the second point, it is stated that "Critical Minerals, as referred to, are minerals that are of crucial importance for the national economy and national defense and security, with the potential for supply disruption and no suitable substitutes."Here is the list of 47 mining commodities classified as critical minerals:1. Aluminum, derived from bauxite mining commodities.2. Antimony, derived from antimony mining commodities.3. Barium, derived from barite mining commodities.4. Beryllium, derived from beryllium mining commodities.5. Iron, derived from iron ore and iron sand mining commodities.6. Bismuth, derived from bismuth mining commodities.7. Boron, derived from boron mining commodities.8. Cadmium, derived from cadmium mining commodities.9. Feldspar, derived from feldspar mining commodities.10. Fluorspar, derived from fluorspar mining commodities.11. Phosphorus, derived from phosphate mining commodities.12. Galena, derived from galena mining commodities.13. Gallium, derived from gallium mining commodities.14. Germanium, derived from germanium mining commodities.15. Graphite, derived from graphite mining commodities.16. Hafnium, derived from hafnium mining commodities.17. Indium, derived from indium mining commodities.18. Potassium, derived from potassium mining commodities.19. Calcium, derived from calcium mining commodities.20. Cobalt, derived from cobalt mining commodities.21. Chromium, derived from chromite mining commodities.22. Lithium, derived from lithium mining commodities.23. Rare Earth Metals, derived from rare earth metal mining commodities.24. Magnesium, derived from magnesium mining commodities.25. Manganese, derived from manganese mining commodities.26. Mercury, derived from cinnabar mining commodities.27. Molybdenum, derived from molybdenum mining commodities.28. Nickel, derived from nickel mining commodities.29. Niobium, derived from niobium mining commodities.30. Palladium, derived from palladium mining commodities.31. Platinum, derived from platinum mining commodities.32. Ruthenium, derived from ruthenium mining commodities.33. Selenium, derived from selenium mining commodities.34. Zinc, derived from zinc mining commodities.35. Silica, derived from quartz sand, quartzite, and crystal quartz mining commodities.36. Sulfur, derived from sulfur mining commodities.37. Scandium, derived from scandium mining commodities.38. Strontium, derived from strontium mining commodities.39. Tantalum, derived from tantalum mining commodities.40. Tellurium, derived from tellurium mining commodities.41. Copper, derived from copper mining commodities.42. Tin, derived from tin mining commodities.43. Titanium, derived from titanium mining commodities.44. Thorium, derived from thorium mining commodities.45. Tungsten, derived from tungsten mining commodities.46. Vanadium, derived from vanadium mining commodities.47. Zirconium, derived from zircon mining commodities.Image source: CNBC Indonesia/Tri SusiloSource: www.cnbcindonesia.com/47Komoditas RI Jadi Mineral Kritis Ternyata Ini Alasannya

Bukit Asam (PTBA) said that exploration activities in the third quarter (July-September) in 2023 which were carried out with third parties cost IDR 17.06 billion.PTBA Corporate Secretary Niko Chandra in his official statement Friday (6/10) revealed that exploration activities include geological mapping, core and non-core drilling, geophysical logging, coal and rock sample testing as well as TOC (Top of Coal) and BOC (Bottom of Coal).PTBA Tanjung Enim Mining Unit conducted exploration in the open water (TAL), Muara Tiga Besar (MTB) and Banko Tengah B (BTB) areas by producing 48 points (3678.28 m coring, 502 m open hole) and infill drilling to support mining activities.Furthermore, PTBA Ombilin Mining Unit) conducted exploration in the Ombilin area using the Coring method and resulted in 17 points (2093.3 m) of resource drilling.Meanwhile, PT Internasional Prima Coal (a subsidiary of PTBA) conducted exploration in the Bantuas area using the Coring, Open Hole method, producing 23 points (1419.75 m open hole, 326.45 m coring).Niko added that the next plan is to continue drilling in the fourth quarter of 2023 and re-evaluate the estimated volume of coal resources and reserves at the Ombilin IUP. Image source: EmitenNews.comSource: www.emitennews.com/Eksplorasi Di Kuartal III Bukit Asam PTBA Habiskan Dana Rp1706 M

Archi Indonesia (ARCI) spent exploration funds of USD 5.69 million, equivalent to IDR 85.9 billion. These funds will be spent on exploration activities for the period January-September 2023. Exploration through Meares Soputan Mining (MSM), and Tambang Tondano Nusajaya (TTN).The exploration area is the Toka Tindung Gold Mine, a pure-play gold producer mine located approximately 35 km northeast of the capital city of Manado, North Sulawesi (Sulut). The Toka Tindung Gold Mine consists of two long-term Contracts of Work (CoW). Covers an area of 39,817 hectares (ha) stretching across North Minahasa Regency and Bitung City, North Sulawesi. A number of Work Contracts valid until 2041 are held by MSM and TTN. In accordance with changes to the Mining Law, MSM and TTN received a guarantee of extending their Contract of Work two more times in the form of a Special Mining Business Permit (IUPK). Each extension is for a maximum period of 10 years.The exploration activities carried out by the company, through MSM and TTN, for the January-September 2023 period focus on mapping activities, soil sampling programs, and IP geophysics in the Greenfield area, and semi-detailed to detailed mapping in the Brownfield area of the West Corridor project. Semi-detailed mapping and CSAMT geophysics were also carried out in the Brownfield area of the Eastern Corridor Project. Exploration drilling activities, and gold resource definition drilling on the West Corridor project. Then, exploration drilling on the Eastern Corridor project. Total drilling activities for the January-September 2023 period reached 157 core drill points with a total depth of 32,212.0 meters.Image source: EmitenNews.comSource: www.emitennews.com/Sedot Anggaran Rp85 Miliar Ini Perkembangan Eksplorasi Archi Indonesia ARCI

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif said that Indonesia has enormous mineral and coal potential and plays an important role in economic growth, as well as national industrial independence and resilience.Arifin said, the current government is prioritizing several mineral and coal policies, including increasing exploration of mineral and coal reserve resources, including the potential for rare earth metals and critical minerals. Apart from that, reclamation and post-mining, business certainty and ease of investment, increasing the Domestic Component Level, and increasing added value by paying attention to environmental aspects."Increasing the added value of minerals has an important role in supporting the energy transition in Indonesia, including being used as raw material for solar, wind and nuclear plants; transmission and distribution cables; as well as batteries for electric vehicles and EBT power plants," added Arifin representing Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Indonesia Mining Summit in Bali, Tuesday (10/10).Arifin also conveyed the downstream strategy that is being pushed by the Government. This includes efforts to accelerate supply chain integration between mines and smelters."Then there is the integration of industries that use processed mineral materials and the development of advanced industries, and applications from the results of processing or refining minerals. Some of the main commodities that are priorities for development include Nickel, Aluminum, Copper, Tin, Iron and Gold-Silver," continued Arifin .On that occasion, Arifin also said that mining would also be required to produce low or no emission products. Meanwhile, we still depend on fossils, especially coal. "We have to think about how we can gradually shift from heavy emissions to low emissions until finally zero emissions," he said.Then, in mineral and coal mining activities, said Arifin, it is necessary to pay attention to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles. Where environmental principles are implemented through environmental management and monitoring; post-mining reclamation; transformation of ex-mining land into other energy sources (PLTS, bioenergy) and encouraging the use of renewable energy in mining production activities."Furthermore, social principles are implemented through the Community Development and Empowerment program, prioritizing local mining service companies, local contractors and local workers. Governance principles are implemented through the regulation of IUP holders, share ownership and organizational structure," said Arifin.Apart from that, the Government also continues to improve mineral and coal mining business activities which are implemented through national mining governance, alignment with national interests, legal certainty and ease of investment, environmental management, and law enforcement."With the large potential of minerals and coal, and the availability of wide open market opportunities, as well as certainty in policies and regulations, the Government encourages business actors to invest in downstream minerals and coal," said Arifin.Meanwhile, General Chair of the Indonesia Mining Association (IMA) Rachmat Makkasau said that currently 27 new smelters are operating. In the 2024-2025 period, the mining smelter will operate optimally."The government's program in the mining downstream sector has been going well with the smelters being built. Our task, the government and industry, in the future is to see how the raw materials and reserves prepared for industrialization can be managed properly," said Rachmat.Image source: EmitenNews.comSource: www.emitennews.com/Sejumlah Kebijakan Bidang Minerba Ini Jadi Prioritas Pemerintah

PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) Ferronickel (FeNi) smelter in East Halmahera, North Maluku is approaching the operational stage. Aneka Tambang Syarief Company Secretary Faisal Alkadrie, said Antam had completed the commissioning process for the facility."The company has completed the commissioning process and is preparing to enter the commercial production phase," said Syarief to Kontan.co.id, Thursday (12/10).The East Halmahera FeNi Smelter is planned to have a production capacity of 13,500 TNi for Line 1 per year. This smelter will complement Antam's 3 ferronickel smelter units in Pomalaa, Southeast Sulawesi which have 4 production lines with a combined capacity of 27,000 TNi per year. Thus, when Antam's East Halmahera Ferronickel Smelter Project is completed, Antam will have a total annual production capacity of up to 40,500 TNi.To meet the electricity needs of the East Halmahera Feni smelter, Antam is collaborating with PT PLN (Persero). Both have signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PJBTL) in March 2022."Currently, the East Halmahera Feni Factory's electricity supply has been met according to the factory's capacity requirements," said Syarief.The East Halmahera Feni Smelter Project is one of several projects that Antam is currently working on. Apart from the East Halmahera Feni Factory project, ANTAM is also overseeing the Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery (SGAR) Phase I project in Mempawah, West Kalimantan.The SGAR Mempawah project is a project managed by the joint venture company Inalum and Antam, namely PT Borneo Alumina Indonesia. According to Kontan.co.id records, the project value is USD 831 million. Currently, work on the SGAR Mempawah project is over 50% complete. Later, the alumina produced by SGAR Mempawah phase I will later become raw material for the existing aluminum smelter belonging to a member of the MIND ID Group, namely PT Inalum, which is located in Kuala Tanjung with a capacity to accommodate alumina of up to 1 million kilo tons per annum (KTPA). The amount of alumina could be 500,000 tons of aluminum."And there is also (a project) to develop the EV Battery ecosystem in Indonesia," added Syarief.Image source: ANTARA FOTO/JOJONSource: www.industri.kontan.co.id/Smelter Feronikel Antam Di Halmahera Timur Siap Memasuki Produksi Komersial

PT Freeport Indonesia is targeting its smelter located in Gresik, East Java to be able to produce copper cathodes in August 2024.VP Government Relations Jakarta and Smelter Technical Support PT Freeport Indonesia Harry Pancasakti said that the smelter that is being built will complete its physical construction at the end of 2023, or in about two months.According to Harry, when the main equipment has been installed and from January to May 2024, pre-commissioning and commissioning activities will be able to be completed."Insha Allah, in June 2024 we will start the operational phase of this new smelter," said Harry at the SOE & Economic Forum in Jakarta, on Thursday (12/10)."We will only be able to start producing concentrate purified into copper cathodes in August 2024," he explained.On that occasion, Harry also said that the smelter that was being built was the smelter with the largest single line design in the world. This smelter will have a copper smelter capacity of 1.7 million tons per year.Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that smelters were the foundation for Indonesia to become a developed country in the future.The Head of State said that the existence of several smelter factories in the country would increase Indonesia's competitiveness and change economic dependence from the consumption sector to the production sector.Jokowi also encouraged the production results from the smelter factory to be integrated with the results of other mining commodities spread across various regions in the country. Starting from nickel in Sulawesi, bauxite in Bintan and West Kalimantan, tin in Bangka Belitung, to copper foil in Gresik."So it will be integrated into EV batteries, lithium batteries, and it will be integrated again into electric vehicles," he said some time ago.He also hopes that the smelter factory construction project, which has reached 72%, will be completed next year. "We hope that everything will be completed before May 2024," he said.Image source: Shutterstock/tssSource: www.gatra.com/Freeport Targetkan Produksi Katoda Tembaga Di Smelter Gresik Beroperasi Agustus 2024

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources emphasized that the class II nickel smelter moratorium policy aims to encourage increased added value.Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dadan Kusdiana, said that the government is committed to encouraging returns on investment in the mining sector, especially nickel, to run well."We don't want to prohibit it but ensure that the business is sustainable," said Dadan when met at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Sunday (15/10).Dadan added, according to President Joko Widodo's direction, the government expects the downstreaming of smelters to continue. Thus, an increase in added value can be created.According to Dadan, the smelter moratorium policy will not have an impact on nickel mining investment. Moreover, the government has mapped out plans for future nickel downstreaming."So now the movement is after the smelter, what is the next derivative? We already have a mapping that this technology already exists, it can be developed in Indonesia," continued Dadan.Previously, the Indonesian government has now begun to limit permits for constructing class II nickel smelter projects that produce Nickel Pig Iron (NPI) and Ferronickel (FeNi).Deputy for Investment and Mining Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Septian Hario Seto, said that the move to limit the construction of class II nickel smelters aims to maintain nickel supply levels."Because if there is an oversupply it will definitely cause prices to fall. This is what we are also avoiding," said Seto at Kompas Tower, last September.Seto explained that the government had decided not to add new projects. Meanwhile, projects that have previously obtained permits are still allowed to continue construction.According to him, smelter business players have now also stopped new investments in smelter projects that produce NPI and FeNi products."We also haven't issued any new permits, as far as I know. So those who are building now are those who have obtained previous permits," explained Seto.Image source: ANTARA FOTO/JOJONSource: www.industri.kontan.co.id/Kementerian ESDM Sebut Moratorium Smelter Nikel Untuk Dorong Nilai Tambah

PT United Tractors Tbk. (UNTR) has set its gold production target in 2024 at 250,000 troy once, after being forced to lower its production target this year.UNTR Investor Relations Ari Setiawan said the company will boost gold production in Martabe, North Sumatra, which is run by the PT Agincourt Resources business unit, and expects an increase in production from the operation of the Sumbawa Juta Raya (SJR) mine.Next year is expected to increase, apart from Martabe, also from SJR which is currently in the process of completing infrastructure development. Next year's target is a total of 250,000 troy ounces and in 2025 a total of around 300,000 troy ounces," he said, as quoted on Monday (16/10/2023).This year, United Tractors must reduce its gold production target by 50 percent due to limited tailings storage facilities which are currently still in the process of increasing capacity.Ari said that the addition of tailings storage capacity meant the company had to make production adjustments. Therefore, even though gold prices are currently soaring, UNTR continues to maintain its production reduction target.Production must be adjusted, so we revised down production.Currently, [tailings storage] is under construction and according to the plan it is expected to be completed by the end of the year, so there is no target revision yet," Ari said.Based on its financial report as of the end of June, UNTR's gold mining business unit in Martabe, North Sumatra, run by PT Agincourt Resources, recorded total sales of 109,477 troy ounces, down 23.85% (year-on-year/YoY).United Tractors is known to have diversified its business into gold mining by acquiring PT Sumbawa Million Raya (SJR) in 2015, and taking over PT Agincourt Resources (PTAR) in 2018.On the other hand, the Hamas-Israel conflict which occurred again on October 7 has caused world gold prices to soar. Quoting Bloomberg, in weekend trading Friday, (10/13/2023), the most active gold contract for December delivery on the Comex division of the New York Exchange rose USD 58.50 or 3.11% to USD 1,941.50 per troy ounce. Meanwhile, the spot gold price rose 3.42% to USD 1,932.82 per troy ounce.However, gold prices also tend to be volatile. The precious metal was observed to fall as the US dollar and US government bond (treasury) yields strengthened after inflation rose more than expected.The latest US consumer price index (CPI) data for September 2023 raises concerns that the Federal Reserve could potentially keep interest rates higher for some time.Image source: UNTRSource: www.market.bisnis.com/United Tractors UNTR Targetkan Produksi Emas 250000 Troy Ounce Pada 2024

PT Putra Perkasa Abadi (PPA) received an international award in the field of safety from the World Safety Organization (WSO)."PPA received an award in the Concerned Company/Corporation Award category because it was considered excellent in implementing safety programs, has a good safety track record for community and environmental development programs," said PT PPA's Director of Human Capital General Affairs (HCGA), Teguh Sapto Subroto in a statement. in Jakarta, Thursday.Teguh Sapto said this award was proof of PPA's commitment to carrying out mining activities with good and sustainable technical principles in order to leave as little natural footprint as possible and create a healthy and safe work environment for employees and the community."Not only that, PPA is also committed to continuing to care for the surrounding environment and society," said Teguh.He said that the award was handed over by WSO to PPA on the sidelines of the 35th International Safety & Health Symposium which took place 2-4 October 2023 in Odessa, Texas, United States.This year's symposium takes the theme The Importance of Safety in ESG, held to expand collaboration and opportunities to build networks between various sectors in terms of safety . Then this event was also held to build and strengthen professional skills and knowledge.This international level achievement fulfills the previous award given by WSO Indonesia to PPA. In February 2023, PPA received an award from the 2023 WSO Indonesia Safety Culture Awards (WISCA) in the Concerned category CEO Awards for PPA CEO Christianto Setyo.WSO is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) which was founded in 1975 and joined the United Nation Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1987. Apart from having its head office in the United States, WSO also has a representative office in 21 countries around the world.Teguh Sapto emphasized that his party is committed to continuing to strive for the implementation of K3 in every operational location to build a safe and healthy work environment."Then we also continue to innovate in the ESG (environmental, social, governance) programs carried out by the company for environmental and social sustainability around operational locations," he added.Image source: ANTARA/HO-PPASource: www.antaranews.com/PPA Raih Penghargaan Internasional Bidang Keselamatan Dari WSO

Far East Gold Ltd (ASX:FEG) has identified high-grade copper and gold mineralisation at the Sentul prospect within the company’s Trenggalek Copper Gold Project in East Java, Indonesia, during field mapping of planned drill targets.The ASX-lister’s recently-completed surface sampling at the project indicated significant copper and gold readings from several rock assays within the East Sentul and West Sentul vein systems.Investors have reacted positively to the news, with Far East Gold shares up about 8.82% at AUD 0.19 in late morning trading.Historically-speakingQuartz veins at the Sentul prospect are up to 10-15 metres wide and more than 5 kilometres of collective strike length has been identified to date.Previous drilling tested about 650 metres of strike length, which is less than 20% of the total defined vein system.A total of 36 drill holes for 4,696.2 metres have been completed, intersecting two principal, sub-parallel vein systems identified as the East Sentul and West Sentul zones, which remain open in all directions.Significant historical intercepts from the West Sentul zone include:TRDD004 - 9.65 metres at 4.51 g/t gold and 8 g/t silver, including 2 metres at 17.2 g/t gold and 13 g/t silver from 111.35 metres and a further 10.75 metres at 3.62 g/t gold and 9 g/t silver, including 1 metre at 7.34 g/t gold and 10 g/t silver from 127.95 metres; andTRDD002 - 6.65 metres at 3.29 g/t gold and 10 g/t silver, including 1 metre at 11.7 g/t gold, 18 g/t silver from 49.35 metres.Consistent with past reportingThe results of the Sentul mapping are consistent with historical exploration but they also suggest the potential for high-grade gold and silver mineralisation within the vein systems associated with discrete structural zones.Notably, a grab sample taken at surface and marked as GI004294 at West Sentul returned an assay of 0.84% copper with 1.6 g/t gold and 79 g/t silver, while the grab sample at GI000701 contained high-grade gold with an assay of 20.8 g/t gold and 9.7 g/t silver.At GI04289, also at West Sentul, assay of 7.1 g/t gold, 161 g/t silver and 0.32% copper is consistent with the high-grade gold and silver assays reported from historical drilling.Rock samples from GI004289, where assays returned 7.1 g/t gold and 0.32% copper.Potentially new discoveryAt the East Sentul vein, two surface grab samples indicate the occurrence of high-grade gold mineralisation not intersected by previous drilling.A sample of quartz breccia from the northeastern extend of the vein marked as GI004297 returned assay of 10.7 g/t gold with associated lead and zinc enrichment.This site is close to the historical drillhole TRDD015, which intersected quartz breccia from 10.75-13.50 metres and 16.70-18.20 metres downhole.The gold and copper explorer plans to conduct a more thorough sampling here for high-grade mineralisation within discrete, structurally-controlled zones.Additionally, detailed sampling will also be carried out at the GI000701 site, where rock samples of massive crystalline to chalcedonic quartz assayed 20.8 g/t gold.Rock sample from GI000701, where assay returned 20.8 g/t gold.Another prospective areaFar East Gold also carried out a scout drill program at the Buluroto prospect, about 800 metres northwest of Sentul.The rock sampling here highlighted locally high-grade gold with significant copper.Historical exploration at Buluroto indicated highly anomalous gold with significantly elevated copper, arsenic and antimony within a poorly defined zone of crackle breccia and quartz stockwork up to 75 metres wide.Eleven drill holes totalling 1,380.4 metres have been completed in the past, with standout intercepts including:TRDD025 - 24.5 metres at 0.49 g/t gold, 0.21% copper and 16 g/t molybdenum from 138.5 metres; andTRDD037 - 13.7 metres at 3.2 g/t gold and 60 g/t silver from 13.4 metres, including 2.0 metres at 8.7 g/t gold and 48 g/t silver.Image source: www.fareast.goldSource: www.au.investing.com/Far East Gold Unearths Highgrade Copper And Gold Mineralisation At Sentul In East Java