PT Pupuk Indonesia Niaga, a PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) subsidiary, is developing its business in nickel commodities to meet domestic needs.PI Niaga Commercial & Operations Director Trudo HDM Nainggolan said, as the initial step, PI Niaga conducted a joint operation with a national private company and successfully sold 34,000 MT of nickel to be sent to a nickel smelter in Morosi, Southeast Sulawesi.He explained that business development in the nickel commodity is part of PI Niaga's business in the field of non-fertilizer trading. The demand for nickel commodities could be expected to continue to increase.According to Trudo, this is following the government programs that continue to encourage the use of electric cars, where nickel is one of the main raw materials for electric vehicle batteries."The shipment was carried out in three shipments where two shipments of 24,000 MT were completed at the end of 2023, and one shipment of 10,000 MT was completed in early 2024," Trudo said in his official statement on Friday (23/2).According to Trudo, PI Niaga strives to increase this nickel business so it can contribute to increasing revenue and achieving the company's target in 2024.“Moreover, it supports the government's efforts in the green energy program through raw materials for electric vehicles,” Trudo concluded.As a matter of information, nickel is a metal usually used as the cathode part of batteries. Nickel plays an important role in making batteries for electric vehicles because it is the main raw material.For lithium-ion batteries, the most common type of battery used in electric vehicles, nickels are combined with cobalt and manganese. Apart from being rust-resistant, this composition is excellent in density and cheaper than other raw materials.The use of nickel in the future is believed to increase significantly along with the growth of electric vehicles in Indonesia.Image source: REUTERS / Yusuf AhmadSource: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/anak-perusahaan-pupuk-indonesia-kirim-34000-mt-nikel-ke-smelter-di-morosi-sulteng 

The government ensures efforts to boost the downstream of nickel into electric vehicle batteries will continue to be carried out.The commitment was conveyed amid the fierce competition of Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) and NMC-based battery technology, which is a combination of Nickel, Manganese, and Cobalt.The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Arifin Tasrif, explained that the several automotive manufacturers that adopted LFP battery technology for electric cars are quite dominant."We indeed have a problem. The downstream lithium (NMC) batteries have not moved. That's what needs to be developed," said Arifin at the Directorate General of Oil and Gas Office of the Ministry of ESDM on Friday (16/2).Arifin explained the potential of the nickel industry in Indonesia in the future is still very potential. Nickel-based batteries will still be needed, with a two-wheeled vehicle population reaching 120 million units and four-wheeled as many as 24 million units.In addition, each type of electric battery is considered to have its own market."What we need to pay attention to is quality, and on the other hand, we need to encourage the industrialization of our mineral natural resources to be able to produce electric batteries," added Arifin.  Previously,  Special Staff of the Minister of ESDM for Acceleration of ESDM Sector Industry Development, Agus Tjahjana, revealed that these two types of batteries each have their market."(There is a market) for low-end and high-end. Both are profitable. High-end is expensive. Why use LFP, which has a short range and then heavy," explained Agus at the Ministry of ESDM on Friday (28/1).Agus revealed low-end electric vehicles will use LFP batteries. Meanwhile, the high-end electric vehicle market will use NMC. His example is Hyundai's electric vehicle type Ioniq has been confirmed to use NMC batteries.Meanwhile, the density or energy capacity of these two types of batteries is generally different.  The density level of LFP is considered lower. Then, if LFP technology wants to increase its capacity, its volume will also increase. This method is considered not suitable to be applied to high-end vehicles."Imagine you use an expensive car (but) it's heavy with batteries, it's not suitable," Agus explained.Agus explained that for expensive or high-end electric vehicles, it is better to use expensive battery technology like NMC because it can save space and is lighter.Meanwhile, cheap or low-end vehicles and transportation fleets such as trucks or buses can use LFP technology.In terms of usage age, LFP is considered superior to NMC. One of the factors is the level of absorption or consumption of LFP energy is lower.Although in terms of price, NMC technology is still more expensive, the trend of price decline is considered to continue to occur.Agus also emphasized that an international-scale factory with a fairly large investment is needed to build a battery factory."The battery factory can't just be on a national scale, whether it's LFP or NMC, it has to be international scale. If we limit it to use NMC because we have NMC, people will run away," said Agus.Image source: KONTAN / Cheppy A MuchlisSource: https://english.kontan.co.id/news/indonesia-promotes-nmc-batteries-amid-lfp-domination-in-electric-vehicles 

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif has announced the auction winners of nine Mining Business License Area (WIUP) blocks for metal minerals and coal in early February.PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) or Antam will manage two nickel mining blocks out of nine mining blocks. Marimoi I Block in Halmahera, East North Maluku and Lililef Sawai Block in Central Halmaera, North Maluku.Antam explained that the two exploration blocks were acquired following Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 7/2020 and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources' letter regarding the appointment of WIUP auction winners."The company is currently carrying out administrative processes to later be able to explore the two Mining Business License (IUP) areas," said Antam Corporate Secretary Syarif Faisal Alkadrie in his official statement on Thursday (22/2).Per Law (UU) 3 of 2020, Exploration IUP holders are given a maximum of 8 years to carry out exploration activities in their area.In line with the company's efforts to strengthen reserves and resources in all core commodities, Antam will conduct aggressive exploration to strengthen the company's business."Moreover, Antam ensures that it always conducts exploration activities following the KCMI / SNI / JORC rules to obtain results that will provide an overview of Nickel potential for later development," he added.Antam always carries out good mining practices by prioritizing occupational safety, health, and operation excellence to ensure mining is carried out thoroughly.For the record, Antam's nickel operation segment consists of ferronickel commodities and nickel ore. The ferronickel commodity is produced by the Kolaka Nickel Mining Business Unit (UBP).Nickel ore commodities are produced from nickel mines in Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi, operated by UBP Nikel Kolaka, nickel mines in North Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, operated by UBP Nikel Konawe Utara, nickel mines in East Halmahera, North Maluku managed by UBP Nikel North Maluku, and nickel mines in Gag Island, West Papua operated by the company's subsidiary, PT Gag Nikel. Image source: REUTERS / Yusuf AhmadSource: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/antam-antm-bersiap-untuk-eksplorasi-2-blok-tambang-nikel-baru 

PT Hasnur Internasional Shipping Tbk (HAIS), a provider of logistics and sea transportation services in Indonesia, posted a net profit of IDR 157.5 billion in 2023, growing 35.6 percent compared to the 2022 figure of IDR 116.1 billion.The profit was supported by the company's success in recording revenues that reached IDR 941.9 billion or grew by 20.6 percent from IDR 781 billion in 2022.Meanwhile, the company also managed to book an operating profit in 2023 of IDR 173 billion, growing by 37.8 percent compared to the operating profit in 2022 of IDR 125.6 billion.“The company was able to record a significant profit in 2023 despite the pressure on commodity prices, especially coal," said Finance Director of PT Hasnur Internasional Shipping Tbk. Rickie, in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.The achievement can not be separated from the contribution of business partners, the commitment of shareholders, and, of course, the performance of all employees who continue to prioritize effectiveness and operational excellence, as well as optimal service to all stakeholders, which has a positive impact on the smooth running of our business and operations,”Furthermore, Rickie said the company's revenue growth was in line with the growth in operational performance, where there was an increase in the number of cargo loads by 15.8 percent in 2023 to 11.2 million metric tons (MT) of cargo from 9.6 million MT in 2022.In 2023, the cargo load is dominated by coal cargo by 98.2 percent, and the rest is transporting gypsum and wood cargo. The shipping business segment was the main contributor to performance growth, with a 97.9 percent contribution of IDR 922.1 billion to total revenue, while 2.1 percent, amounting to IDR 19.9 billion, came from the loading and unloading business segment.The improved performance in 2023 is also supported by the realization of the addition of 1 set of new vessels, namely the tugboat TB Hasnur 17 and the barge BG Hasnur 337. To support improved performance in 2024, the company plans to add two sets of tugboats and barges.In addition, the company is in the exploring process of the development of subsidiaries, one of which is to enter the Floating Loading Facilities (FLF) business and various other business potentials. Image source: ANTARA / HO-HAISSource: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3977214/hasnur-internasional-shipping-raih-laba-bersih-rp1575-miliar-di-2023 

PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk (ITMG) is recorded to produce 16.9 million tons of coal in 2023. This production volume increased slightly compared to 2022.In its official statement, ITMG management explained that the coal production volume in 2023 increased slightly by 1% to 16.9 million tons. Previously, in 2022, ITMG produced 16.6 million tons of coal."Coal production volume reached 16.9 million tons in 2023," wrote ITMG management on Thursday (22/2/2024).Meanwhile, coal sales increased by 11% to 20.9 million tons in 2023 from 18.9 million tons.The average selling price of ITMG's coal is USD 113.1 per ton, down from USD 192 per ton in 2022. The selling price dropped by 41% year on year (YoY).Meanwhile, ITMG's largest coal export is to China, which contributed USD 650 million to ITMG's revenue. Furthermore, it exports to Japan for USD 500 million, the Philippines for USD 237 million, and Thailand for USD 138 million.ITMG recorded domestic sales of USD 431 million in 2023, which is a 35% decrease compared to USD 664 million in 2022.For the record, the Banpu Group entity recorded revenue of USD 2.37 billion in 2023, down 35% compared to the full year 2022 of USD 3.63 billion.Meanwhile, ITMG's net profit also eroded by 58% in 2023 to USD 500 million from USD 1.19 billion in the previous year.With the release of this financial report, ITMG shares closed down 0.94% in the first session to IDR 26,225 per share. ITMG shares were traded at IDR 26,000-IDR 26,275 per share in the first session today.Image source: Bisnis.com / itmg.co.idSource: https://market.bisnis.com/read/20240222/192/1743231/indo-tambangraya-itmg-produksi-169-juta-ton-batu-bara-pada-2023 

PT Amman Mineral Internasional Tbk (AMMN) targets Cebakan Elang development or exploitation to begin around 2027.  AMMN Vice President of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Kartika Octaviana said that Cebakan Elang will replace Batu Hijau mine production, which will run out in 2030.  "The group intends to start Cebakan Elang development around 2027 to replace ore processing activities from Batu Hijau mine, which will run out in 2030," Kartika said when confirmed on Wednesday (21/2/2024).  When the Batu Hijau mine is finished, mining activities at Cebak Elang will begin from 2031 to 2046, said Kartika.She added that the group has also identified other copper and gold prospects within the Special Mining Business License (IUPK) area of PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT).  "The group has identified other copper and gold prospects within the AMNT IUPK area for which exploration and study activities are still ongoing," she said.Amman reported that from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023, the group conducted exploration activities in IUPK Blocks I, II, and III, located in Sumbawa. Meanwhile, there were no field exploration activities in Block IV, Lampui.The total exploration expenditure for the fourth quarter of 2023 was around USD 6.27 million, equivalent to IDR 97.93 billion (assuming an exchange rate of IDR 15,620 per US dollar).The exploration in Block I, Batu Hijau, amounted to around USD 3.12 million. There were 29 drill holes, including those completed and those still in progress, with a total of 12,507.6 meters. Core samples sent to the assay laboratory totaled 4,311.Amman plans to continue exploration drilling with 12 rigs in the first quarter of this year.The exploration of Block II, Cebak Elang, has cost around USD 2.68 million. Amman continued resource development drilling at the Elang Cu-AU deposit. The infill drilling aims to tighten geological information, improve the geological model, and increase the confidence level of the resource classification.Core drilling in the Elang Block was 21 holes with a total coverage of 3,688.8 meters. In detail, infill resource drilling at Elang Cu-Au was 17 drill holes, including those completed and those still in progress, with a total of 2,227.8 meters. In addition, there is exploration drilling at Alma Cu-Au of 4 drill holes with an area of 1,461 meters.Amman plans to continue drilling defined resources at Elang with 2 rigs and at Alma with 1 rig in the first quarter of this year.The exploration drilling and geological mapping were carried out at the third Rinti Block, costing approximately USD 0.46 million. The drilling on this block will continue with 1 rig in the first quarter of this year.Image source: Bisnis.comSource: https://market.bisnis.com/read/20240221/192/1742965/gantikan-batu-hijau-amman-mineral-ammn-bidik-eksploitasi-cebakan-elang 

The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs (Kemenkomarves) reports on performance achievements in 2023, one of which is the development of the mineral processing industry, which has now reached 187 smelters.  The report was uploaded to the official Instagram account @kemenkomarves, quoted on Friday (16/2/2024). The smelter construction is a major project to boost the downstream policy.  Meanwhile, the government will continue downstream so that the processing or refining industry and mineral-based industrial estates will continue to develop in Indonesia."Through the downstream policy, significant investment growth has been achieved in the mineral processing industry (187 smelters), especially in the nickel industry with 111 smelters," stated the report.Moreover, the investment growth in the downstream sector has triggered the mineral-based industrial estate growth outside of Java. The condition is believed to encourage the Indonesian economy's development locally and nationally.Based on data from the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), the investment realization in the downstream sector reached IDR 375.4 trillion throughout 2023. The downstream sector accounts for 26.5% of the total investment realization in 2023.The largest investment was recorded in the mineral sector at IDR 216.8 trillion, including nickel smelter construction at IDR 136.6 trillion, bauxite smelter at IDR 9.7 trillion, and copper smelter at IDR 70.5 trillion.Furthermore, the downstream investment in the agricultural sector reached IDR 50.8 trillion, forestry IDR 51.8 trillion, oil and gas IDR 46.3 trillion, and the electric vehicle ecosystem IDR 9.7 trillion.The information is not only about smelter construction. The Ministry has also completed several other major projects, such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Train (KCJB).  Another major project is the Aceh-Lampung Trans Sumatra Toll Road and the National Strategic Project for the prioritized infrastructure development of the Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN).Image source: Bisnis.com / PT. GNISource: https://ekonomi.bisnis.com/read/20240216/257/1741507/ri-punya-187-smelter-pada-2023-genjot-hilirisasi-mineral 

MIND ID, or Mining Industry Indonesia, experienced an operational performance improvement in 2023.MIND ID, as a State-owned Mining Industry Holding in Indonesia, has the mandate to manage mineral and coal resources in Indonesia together with its members, which include PT Antam Tbk, PT Bukit Asam, PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Inalum, and PT Timah Tbk,.PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam), a member of the MIND ID Group, showed positive performance through the achievement of financial performance growth from January to September 2023 or 9M23. Antam recorded a profit of IDR 2.85 trillion in the 9M23 period.The company's profit grew by eight percent from the first nine months of 2022, which reached IDR 2.63 trillion. Meanwhile, Antam's Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) in 9M23 was IDR 5.40 trillion.EBITDA is the value of a company's income before deducting interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, which acts as an indicator to measure the profit or profit earned by the company. "Antam's EBITDA in 9M23 shows the consistency of the company's achievements when compared to EBITDA in 9M22," said MIND ID Corporate Secretary Heri Yusuf as quoted on Tuesday (21/2).The company's net cash flow from operating activities in 9M23 grew by 93 percent or IDR 3.98 trillion compared to the net cash flow in 9M22, which only grew at IDR 2.06 trillion.The balance of cash and cash equivalents in 9M23 reached IDR 7.54 trillion or grew 63 percent from the position at the end of the 9M22 period of IDR 4.62 trillion. In addition, Antam also managed to make net sales of IDR 30.90 trillion in 9M23, with the percentage of domestic net sales reaching 86 percent or equivalent to IDR 26.69 trillion.Antam also recorded a total gold production volume from the company's mines of 908 kg (29,193 troy oz.), with sales reaching 19,460 kg (625,652 troy oz.) in 9M23. This shows that Antam's gold production accounted for 62 percent of total sales of IDR 19.29 trillion. Image source: Pos Kota / IllustrationSource: https://poskota.co/ekonomi-bisnis/grup-mind-id-catatkan-pertumbuhan-positif-di-2023/ 

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) noted that coal exports in January 2024 fell by almost 30% on an annual basis to USD 2.41 million compared to USD 3.43 million in January 2023. In comparison with the previous month, or December 2023, exports fell 19.68%.The Executive Director of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (ICMA), Hendra Sinadia, said the decline was due to the lower coal price in January 2024. "It is due to lower prices compared to the previous period," he told Katadata.co.id on Friday (16/2).Hendra added, however, that falling prices were not the main factor in suppressing exports. "Actually, it is more about the price, and usually, the production level and export volume are lower at the beginning of the year," he said.In line with Hendra, Acting Head of BPS Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti said that the decline in coal exports was due to a decline in volume and prices."There is a downward trend in coal prices in the global market. As the decline in value is deeper than the volume, the decline in coal exports monthly is mainly due to the decline in prices," Amalia said at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday (15/2).Based on the countries, the biggest decline in coal exports to China fell to 25.08% and India to 17.11%. "The value of coal exports contributes 12.59% of the total exports in January 2024," he said.For the record, coal prices have indeed experienced a significant decline throughout 2023. In January 2023, Indonesia's coal price benchmark (HBA) was still at USD 305.21 per ton, and the price of Newcastle coal, Australia, one of the global benchmark prices, was in the range of USD 350-390 per ton.However, in January 2024, the benchmark had dropped to below USD 130 per ton, while the price of Newcastle coal was below USD 130 per ton, even touching USD 115 per ton on January 29. This implies that prices have fallen by more than 50% in the past year. Image source: ANTARA Foto / Andri SaputraSource: https://katadata.co.id/happyfajrian/berita/65cedc232fe6b/nilai-ekspor-batu-bara-merosot-30-apbi-karena-harga-turun-drastis 

The Heavy Equipment Manufacturer Association Of Indonesia (Hinabi) in 2023 noted that heavy equipment production in Indonesia reached 8,066 units.The most heavy equipment was produced in 2022, with 8,826 units in total. Thus, the production rate decreased by 8.61 percent on an annual basis (year on year).Quoted from Antara news agency, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) said that the mineral and coal subsector in 2023 contributed to non-tax state revenue of IDR 173 trillion or 58 percent of the total national non-tax state revenue (PNBP).Seeing the decline in heavy equipment production and non-tax revenue contribution, the Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita asked the Indonesian automotive industry to produce mining trucks that fit the mining conditions in the country.The Minister of Industry said industry players can start this by making assembly details that have specifications appropriate to mining conditions in Indonesia."We encourage the domestic industry to immediately prepare truck products that meet mining specifications. We ask them to at least make an assembly line first," explained the Minister of Industry after the P3DN Award Kick-Off event in Jakarta on Monday (12/2/2024).According to him, the reason for encouraging the production of mining trucks that have qualified specifications is that this sector continues to see growth every year.He assessed that the need for natural resources derived from mining is quite large, so the tools used must be suitable and also domestically made.By carrying out the assembly beforehand, the mining sector can also contribute to the value of the domestic component level."There is a domestic component value since the needs are very large. While coal is growing, other commodities in minerals are also growing. We have to make sure that our industry is ready," said the Minister of Industry.Image source: Suara.comSource: https://www.suara.com/otomotif/2024/02/12/230202/pertambangan-indonesia-butuhkan-banyak-kendaraan-alat-berat