PT Vale Indonesia Tbk has set a target to achieve Net Zero Emission (NZE) by 2050, implementing various steps to meet this goal.Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer of Vale Indonesia, Bernardus Irmanto, stated that one of the efforts is reducing CO2 emissions in Sorowako, South Sulawesi, by 33 percent by 2030."When we talk about technology and all partnerships for new projects, we all share the same goal of achieving net zero by 2050," said Bernardus during a presentation at the second day of the Investor Daily Summit held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) Senayan on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.In addition to this, Vale Indonesia is committed to maintaining and even enhancing its use of lower-energy technologies in its new projects.Moreover, to support the target for renewable energy (EBT) mix, PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, as a member of the state-owned mining holding (MIND ID), has been a pioneer in renewable energy usage since the 1970s. Vale has also constructed hydroelectric power plants (PLTA)."Currently, we operate three hydroelectric power plants in Sorowako with a green energy capacity of around 365 megawatts. The four smelting furnaces operated by Vale are 100 percent powered by hydropower," he explained.According to Bernardus, this is what makes PT Vale's plant in Sorowako have the lowest carbon emissions in Indonesia, earning recognition from various parties.Thus, PT Vale Indonesia Tbk continues to develop a roadmap to meet its goals and responsibilities.

The Indonesian State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Mining Holding, MIND ID, is committed to driving mineral downstreaming to boost the manufacturing sector.Corporate Secretary of MIND ID, Heri Yusuf, at the 2024 Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), stated that as a strategic active holding, MIND ID has orchestrated all its members to maximize the value of coal and mineral commodities through downstreaming programs.According to him, the mineral industry has successfully implemented downstreaming programs that make Indonesian minerals more readily usable across various manufacturing industries in the country.Heri expressed his hope that a stronger absorption of minerals by the manufacturing industry would further increase the value-added benefits."This 2024 Trade Expo Indonesia is a good moment. We hope that a strong connection between the mineral and manufacturing industries and end users can be realized. Together, we can provide greater benefits for Indonesia's future," said Heri in a press release on Thursday, October 10.Heri highlighted that the MIND ID Group, through the consortium of PT Aneka Tambang Tbk and PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum), known as the Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery (SGAR), has succeeded in producing alumina domestically.This alumina will then be processed into aluminum, with domestic demand reaching 1 million tons per year.Additionally, MIND ID Group, through PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), has also started operating its copper concentrate smelter in the Gresik Java Integrated Industrial and Ports Estate (JIIPE) Special Economic Zone (KEK) in East Java.This project processes 1.7 million tons of copper concentrate from Papua and produces 650,000 tons of copper cathode, 50 tons of gold, and 210 tons of silver, which can be utilized across various industries in Indonesia.Heri also noted that MIND ID, through PT Bukit Asam Tbk, is taking coal downstreaming more seriously, particularly the coal gasification project, which converts coal into dimethyl ether (DME) domestically.This strategic initiative will enable coal to be converted into gas and subsequently transformed into various products based on industrial needs.Heri emphasized that strong integration between the mineral sector and the manufacturing industry will create a significant economic multiplier effect.Moreover, Indonesia could reduce its dependence on raw material imports, which deplete foreign exchange reserves."We hope to see new partners emerge as offtakers for our raw materials domestically. If industrialization takes place within the country, the creation of jobs, GDP growth, and other economic benefits will be extraordinary," concluded Heri.

PT Putra Perkasa Abadi (PPA) received the prestigious Subroto Award 2024 from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) on Thursday, October 10, 2024.The Subroto Award is the highest accolade in the energy and mineral resources sector, presented by the Ministry of ESDM to stakeholders who have demonstrated outstanding performance in advancing the sector.Putra Perkasa Abadi reaffirmed its commitment to operational safety through a principle it has upheld for over two decades, known as "Safe & Strong Operational Performance." This slogan is supported by an "unlimited budget for safety" policy, underscoring PPA's dedication to creating a safe working environment and innovating mining safety technologies.At the event, President Joko Widodo and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia were present to inaugurate the prestigious awards for Indonesia's energy and mineral resources sector."PPA highly values the health and safety of its workers, with the highest accident statistics in mining being related to moving objects (vehicles). Therefore, PPA developed technology to enhance worker safety, in line with our tagline, 'Safe and Strong Operational Performance,'" said PPA President Director Joko Triraharjo after receiving the award.PPA won the Subroto Award in the Mining Safety, Technical, and Environmental Protection category, specifically for Technical and Environmental Innovation in Mining, with the Mining Safety category for Mining Services Companies, through its innovation in heavy equipment safety called Pre-Collision Prevention Drive Assist (PRECISE).PRECISE is a technology installed on heavy equipment to detect obstacles and calculate their distance while the unit is operating. The system allows the equipment to automatically reduce speed and brake, effectively preventing accidents."This Subroto Award is a source of pride for the entire PPA Group, and in the future, we will continue to enhance our technological innovations in mining safety. We also hope that the innovations we have developed can be adopted by other companies to create a safer working environment," Joko added.This award adds to PPA's achievements at the Good Mining Practice (GMP) Award, organized by the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal in late September.PPA secured four Aditama (gold) awards for its sites at Adaro Indonesia, MLP, Bukit Asam, and Borneo Indobara. This achievement makes PPA the first Mining Services Company to win the "Best of the Best" trophy in the category of Standardization and Mining Services Management for three consecutive years from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).

PT Petrindo Jaya Kreasi Tbk has taken a significant step in acquiring PT Petrosea Tbk as the former’s integration strategy in the mining sector.Petrindo is hoping that the acquisition can cement its position as a mining company that is well-integrated from the upstream to the downstream sectors. According to PT Petrindo Jaya Kreasi Tbk’s chief financial officer Kartika Hendrawan, Petrosea -- which is also a mining contractor -- will strengthen the mining infrastructures under Petrindo.“This acquisition makes Petrindo not only as a mine owner, but the company will have the capacity to carry out the mining activities and provide the necessary infrastructures,” Kartika Hendrawan said at the 2024 BNI Investor Daily Summit in Jakarta on Tuesday.The 2024 BNI Investor Daily Summit is a two-day event taking place on Oct. 8-9 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). Kartika was a panelist at one of the summit’s sessions titled “The Future of Mining: Driving Efficiency and Sustainability through Technology”.The 2024 BNI Investor Daily Summit is supported by BNI, Astra, Chandra Asri Group, Freeport, Pupuk Indonesia, Pluang, PIK 2, Petrindo Jaya Kreasi, Petrosea, APRIL, Vale, AWS-ViBiCloud, Inalum, Huawei, Ambeven, Sritex, Pelindo, Bukit Asam, Ambeven, Huawei, and Telkom Indonesia.

PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) is now focusing on several downstream projects following the first bauxite injection at the Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery (SGAR) in Mempawah.Corporate Secretary Syarif Faisal Alkadrie stated that the first bauxite injection on September 24, 2024, has further strengthened ANTAM's position in the national aluminum supply chain.He also mentioned that ANTAM is currently overseeing other downstream projects for nickel commodities and the development of the electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem."Regarding the FeNi Haltim project, ANTAM is currently exploring alternatives to continue the commissioning process of the Feronickel Haltim Plant in North Maluku to ensure production stability before commercial operations," Faisal told Kontan on Thursday, October 10.Faisal explained that once fully operational, the plant will have a production capacity of 13,500 TNi.As for the development of the EV battery ecosystem in Indonesia, ANTAM and its strategic partners are committed to accelerating the achievement of milestones in line with the company's 2024 targets.Kontan noted that one of ANTAM's ongoing strategic projects is the nickel downstream project in Buli, East Halmahera.This project involves an international consortium of CBL (CATL, Brunp, Lygend) and includes the construction of various facilities, such as nickel ore mines, a Rotary Kiln-Electric Furnace (RKEF) plant, a High Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) plant, as well as material and battery recycling plants.Significant progress has been made in this project. As of June 2024, the RKEF project is in the pre-EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) and Pre-Project Financing stages.Meanwhile, the HPAL project is in the process of forming a joint venture.The RKEF plant is expected to start operations in 2027, while the HPAL plant is targeted to begin operations a year later, in 2028.

Indonesian officials have emphasized the importance of developing downstream industries, particularly in electric vehicle (EV) battery production, to enhance the country's economic value.Speaking at the inauguration of PT BLM Energi Baru Indonesia’s Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery manufacturing plant in the Kendal Industrial Park, Central Java, on Tuesday, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan highlighted that focusing resources on downstream industrial development is a directive from President Joko Widodo.One of the key policies driving this initiative was the cessation of raw material exports, aimed at building economic value within the nation, he said.According to the minister, the LFP battery plant is a strategic investment collaboration between Indonesia’s Investment Authority (INA) and China’s Changzhou Liyuan New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a leading global LFP battery producer. This partnership aims to meet the growing global demand for LFP batteries, fueled by the rapid expansion of electric vehicle usage worldwide.Luhut further explained that the LFP plant represents a cornerstone of Indonesia's integrated EV ecosystem. By completing the lithium battery production chain, Indonesia will be able to meet the demand for lithium batteries for up to three million EVs globally.INA chairman Ridha Wirakusumah also highlighted the rapidly increasing demand for LFP batteries due to the global transition to EVs and renewable energy, presenting a significant opportunity for Indonesia. By building strong production capacity, the country will be well-positioned to supply the rising demand for LFP cathode materials in the future.

Coal exports from Indonesia have been growing this year, with China ramping up its imports. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa said that “global coal trade has really picked up pace over the past year, and is now fully back to pre-Covid levels. In Jan-Aug 2024 the positive trend continued, with global coal loadings increasing by +2.5% y-o-y to 900.7 mln t, from 879.0 mln t in the same period last year, based on vessel tracking data from AXS Marine. In Jan-Aug 2024, exports from Indonesia increased by +8.3% y-o-y to 345.3 mln t, whilst from Australia were up +3.3% y-o-y to 232.6 mln t. From Russia exports declined by -14.1% y-o-y to 110.7 mln t in JanAug 2024, from the USA increased by +6.0% y-o-y to 59.4 mln t, from South Africa declined -4.1% y-o-y to 38.9 mln t. Shipments from Colombia increased by +12.0% y-o-y to 39.6 mln t in JanAug 2024, from Canada down by -0.3% y-o-y to 32.6 mln t, and from Mozambique were down by -11.2% y-o-y to 14.0 mln t.”Source: Banchero CostaAccording to Banchero Costa, “seaborne coal imports into Mainland China increased by +11.6% y-o-y to 267.8 mln t in Jan-Aug 2024, to India increased by +9.5% y-o-y to 165.6 mln t, to Japan declined by -7.3% yo-y to 100.5 mln t in Jan-Aug 2024. Shipments to South Korea declined by -6.4% y-o-y to 75.2 mln t, to Vietnam surged by +24.9% y-o-y to 40.1 mln t, to the EU down -38.2% yo-y to 39.9 mln tonnes, to Taiwan declined by -3.9% y-o-y to 38.4 mln tonnes in Jan-Aug 2024. Indonesia is the world’s largest seaborne exporter of coal, accounting for 38.3% of the global seaborne coal market so far in 2024”.It added that “export volumes from Indonesia were relatively depressed during 2020 and 2021, due to disruption from Covid19 and from government policies favouring domestic consumption, but bounced back to an all-time record high in 2022, and continued to grow further in 2023. Total seaborne coal exports from Indonesia in 2022 reached 448.8 mln tonnes, +7.9% y-o-y, according to AXS Marine vessel tracking data. In 2023, coal exports from Indonesia increased further by +10.2% y-o-y to 494.6 mln tonnes.Source: Banchero CostaThe vast majority of Indonesian coal exports are loaded in East Kalimantan and South Kalimantan (the island of Borneo), with some volumes also shipped from southern Sumatra island. The main coal export terminals in Indonesia are: Taboneo/ Banjarmasin (66.5 mln t loaded in Jan-Aug 2024), Tanjung Bara (28.3 mln t), Muara Banyuasin (25.5 mln t), Muara Berau (24.8 mln t), Balikpapan (24.8 mln t), Muara Pantai (24.3 mln t), Samarinda (21.0 mln t), Bunati (19.6 mln t), Adang Bay (13.3 mln t), Senipah Terminal (13.3 mln t), Tanjung Pemancingan (11.5 mln t), Muara Satui (9.1 mln t), Sangkulirang (9.0 mln t). The majority (49%) of coal volumes from Indonesia in 2023 were loaded on Panamax vessels, with 31% on Supramax vessels, 11% on PostPanamax, and just 8% on Capesize tonnage”.The shipbroker added that “China continues to be the top importer of Indonesian seaborne coal exports, accounting for 41.3% of shipments in Jan-Aug 2024. In Jan-Aug 2024, shipments from Indonesia to China increased by +5.4% at 142.8 mln tonnes, following a +47.9% y-o-y surge in the same period of last year. About 21.4% of exports, or 74.0 mln tonnes in Jan-Aug 2024, were shipped to India, representing a rebound of +20.7% y-o-y.However, this follows a -22.3% y-o-y decline in the same period of last year. Shipments to the Philippines have also increased by +8.6% y-o-y to 25.4 mln tonnes in Jan-Aug 2024, with the Philippines accounting for 7.4% of Indonesian exports. Exports to Japan increased by +6.4% y-o-y in Jan-Aug 2024 to 17.9 mln t, with Japan accounting for 5.2%. South Korea imported 17.2 mln t of coal from Indonesia in Jan-Aug 2024, up +2.6% y-o-y. Malaysia received 16.1 mln tonnes, down -6.5% y-o-y. Last but not least, exports to Vietnam surged by +37.3% y-o-y to 16.2 mln t in Jan-Aug 2024”, Banchero Costa concluded.

PT Adaro Indonesia had won five awards from Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ministry as a company committed to implementing good and sustainable mining practices.Adaro received the awards at the Good Mining Practice (GMP) Award 2024 held to commemorate 78th Anniversary of Mining and Energy on September 28, 2024 in Jakarta.Head of PT Adaro Indonesia Technical Mining Deny Widihatmoko said that a GMP task force had been formed to coordinate GMP assessment, including to evaluate the results of the previous assessments both from mineral and coal mining (minerba) as well as health, work safety and environment (K3LH) assessment within the company."With full support from management, we are working to improve GMP performance and assessment,” Denny expounded on Monday.Adaro also has a program to evaluate companies and PJOs, by creating a monthly forum program, including monitoring and evaluation for Mining and Environmental Safety Management (KPLH) in work partners, KPLH quality level 1 and 2 and MESRA (finding service company solution).In the future, Adaro hopes that the Technical and Environmental Directorate of Minerba will be more active in providing guidance, so that mining operation will be more safety, secure and efficient.“We will be able to adapt to changes in criteria of GMP assessment which are getting stricter every year,” said Deny.The five awardsa won by Adaro were in the categories of standardization and service business aspects, coal conservation aspects, mining technical aspects, environmental protection and mining safety aspects.Director General of Mineral and Coal Mining Tri Winarno noted in a written statement that GMP Award is awarded to mining companies that demonstrate achievements in applying the principles of mineral and coal mining techniques.“This award is a parameter of success for the government in guiding the technical aspects of mining,” he said.He hopes that this activity will motivate all mining business players to continue to carry out operation in accordance with good principles. 

Indonesia is expected to continue expanding its nickel production in the coming years, especially through increasing its high-pressure acid-leaching (HPAL) capacity, but the lack of readily available sulphuric acid and proper management of the tailings waste could pose challenges to this plan.Production is expected to rise despite an anticipated surplus in the supply of nickel in the market.Sulphuric acid is used in the HPAL process to separate nickel and cobalt from nickel ore to produce mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), which is the feedstock for the downstream processing of nickel sulphate, cathode and battery.Indonesia is expected to produce 325,000-345,000t of MHP this year, up from around 269,000t of in 2023, according to market sources. But with several MHP projects planned to come online in the next few years, MHP output for the next three years is projected to treble to 800,000-900,000t, according to the country's deputy minister for the co-ordinating ministry for maritime and investment affairs Septian Hario Seto on 2 October at a metal event in London. As this would require a lot more nickel ore and sulphuric acid, there are concerns that the availability of limonite ore could deplete as fast as the saprolite ore supply, which is mainly used for nickel pig iron and matte production. There were also discussions that the Indonesian government will convene with nickel market participants to discuss about the supply situation of limonite ore.There are currently four HPAL facilities operating in Indonesia. This includes Huayou's Huayue and Huafei projects, GEM's QMB project and Lygend's HPAL project.Others were also concerned that the availability of sulphuric acid could be a limiting factor to Indonesia's rapid expansion of HPAL production, as sulphuric acid demand from Indonesian HPAL projects is expected to reach 7.12mn t in 2025, almost 40pc increase from this year's demand at 5.17mn t, according to Argus estimates.Indonesia has been importing sulphuric acid from mainly China and South Korea to meet the growing demand for its production units at Obi Island and Sulawesi. But a ramp-up in sulphur-burning operations has pushed several MHP producers like Halmahera Persada Lygend to switch to buying lower-cost sulphurinstead. For most sulphur burners, 1t of sulphur produces around 3t of sulphuric acid.The startup of Freeport McMoran's Manyar smelter in Java integrated industrial and port estate in East Java's Gresik, coupled with mining firm Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara's (AMNT) copper smelter in the West Sumbawa regency of Nusa Tenggara province, is also expected to alleviate some supply concerns, with the two expected to add at least 3mn t/yr of acid capacity by the end of 2025.Proper disposal of tailings waste could pose another challenge to Indonesia's planned HPAL expansion, particularly with increasing scrutiny on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards by Indonesia's mining industry.The HPAL process generates a large volume of tailings, with energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie estimating an output of 1.4-1.6t of waste from every 1t of nickel produced through HPAL.There are three common ways to dispose tailings waste – tailings dam, deep sea tailings and dry stacking. Dry stacking is more widely used because it is considered as the more sustainable option. But dry stacking also comes with its own environmental and biodiversity risks, as Indonesia's seasonal wet weather and seismic activity of the site could be a problem for waste storage.To ensure a smooth expansion in HPAL production, it is crucial for Indonesia to find ways to secure the necessary sulphuric acid supplies and to adopt appropriate methods for tailings waste disposal.

PT Trimegah Bangun Persada, Tbk, or Harita Nickel, a leading integrated nickel mining and processing company, has committed to undergoing an independent third-party assessment against the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) Standards for Responsible Mining. The Harita Nickel mine, located on Obi Island, South Halmahera, North Maluku, is the first in Indonesia to officially commit to being audited by IRMA.“With its voluntary submission to an independent audit against the world’s most stringent global mining standards, Harita Nickel is setting an unprecedented example of operational transparency in Indonesia’s mining sector,” said Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director of IRMA. “Harita is providing stakeholders with crucial information that they can use to engage with the company on how to promote more responsible mining practices. This is particularly timely given the importance of nickel in supporting the energy transition and the growing demand from downstream buyers for responsibly mined nickel, particularly in the automotive and renewable energy sectors.”Harita Nickel’s commitment to undergo the rigorous IRMA audit demonstrates the company's dedication to responsible mining practices in Indonesia. Septian Hario Seto, Deputy of Indonesia's Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, praised the initiative, stating, “This step not only sets a benchmark for the industry but also supports the government’s vision for a more transparent, environmentally, and socially responsible mining sector. This alignment with global standards ensures long-term benefits for both communities and the environment.”“We want our buyers to have confidence that they are sourcing responsibly produced nickel,” said Roy Arman Arfandy, President Director of PT Trimegah Bangun Persada, Tbk (Harita Nickel). “By undergoing the independent IRMA audit, we aim to align our operations with best practices and continuously improve in collaboration with affected stakeholders and rights holders. We are committed to long-term compliance with international standards for responsible mining.”The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) is (1) a voluntary mining standard that describes best practices for protecting communities and the environment, (2) an assurance process to measure mines against that standard, and (3) an organization governed equally by representatives from six affected stakeholder sectors - communities, organized labor, NGOs, finance, buyers and mining companies - that controls the standard and assurance process. IRMA is globally unique in that its governance gives communities the same power as mining companies, and non-commercial interests the same power as commercial interests.Harita Nickel, which began operations in 2010, has been running a high-grade nickel ore (saprolite) smelter since 2017, a low-grade nickel ore (limonite) refinery since 2021, and nickel sulfate and cobalt sulfate production facilities since 2023. These facilities are located across Harita Nickel's two active mining concessions. Harita Nickel produces key raw materials for electric vehicle batteries by processing and refining low-grade nickel ore using High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) technology to produce Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP), which is further processed into nickel sulfate (NiSO4) and cobalt sulfate (CoSO4).SCS Global Services, an IRMA-approved independent audit firm, will conduct the assessment, starting with a desktop review (stage 1), followed by an on-site field audit (stage 2). Stakeholders, including affected communities, public officials, labor representatives, or other interested parties, are invited to submit comments about how the mine manages its environmental impacts (such as air, water, waste, greenhouse gases, and ecosystems), supports its workforce, and interacts with surrounding communities. Interested parties can also request interviews with auditors during the site visit.