PT RMK Energy Tbk (RMKE) transported 623.99 thousand tons of coal in January 2023 or an increase of 99.67% year on year (YoY). This transport volume is the highest low season achievement for the last five years. From the coal sales segment, RMKE managed to sell 135.10 thousand tons of coal in January 2023, also the highest low season coal sales volume for the last 5 years, or a sharp increase from the lowest point due to the coal export ban policy early last year. The coal sales volume reached 4.85% this year's target. Based on the operational segment, coal sales and services contributed 17.80% and 82.20% respectively.RMKE Director of Finance Vincent Saputra said that this year his party will focus on completing the hauling road project which will be integrated with several mines in Muara Enim, including the mine owned by PTBA. This hauling road will be integrated with RMKE's Mount Megang loading station so that it can support the Company's operations to provide seamless coal logistics solutions in South Sumatra. In addition, Vincent ensured that the company also continuously sees opportunities for collaboration in the energy sector to increase the volume of services and sales of coal in the future."Based on the mid-term prospects that have been released, this year RMKE targets to be able to transport 10.8 million tons of coal and sell 2.78 million tons of coal. Of the total coal sales volume, PT Truba Bara Banyu Enim (TBBE), RMKE's in-house mine, will contribute 2.1 million tons of coal," Vincent said in a press release, Wednesday (1/3). Vincent continued, his party is optimistic that it can achieve better operating performance this year in line with the latest collaboration with PTBA in South Sumatra which is now in the finalization stage.Source: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/rmk-energy-rmke-angkut-62399-ribu-ton-batubara-pada-januari-2023

 PT Transcoal Pacific Tbk (TCPI) secured coals transportation contract worth IDR 2.57 trillion from its user in East Kalimantan.Erizal Darwin, Director of Transcoal Pacific, claimed that the coals transportation contract will be effective for five years starting from the signing date last week (24/2). “The user does not have an affiliation with the company,” he mentioned in the information disclosure quoted Tuesday (28/2).According to the Financial Report as of September 2022, TCPI’s revenue was recorded at IDR 1.3 trillion, shifting higher from IDR 1.17 trillion in 2021. The primary contributor of revenue in September 2022 was the sea transportation segment that generated IDR 1.29 trillion, followed by other segments of IDR 6.73 billion.The main users with over 10% contribution to the revenue are PT Arutmin Indonesia of IDR 706.68 billion and PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) of IDR 393.19 billion. (LK/ZH).Source: https://www.idnfinancials.com/news/46141/transcoal-pacific-secure-idr-contracts

PT Timah Tbk (TINS) targets to optimize the Ausmelt Furnace Muntok Smelter Top Submerge Lance (TSL) Project within the next three years. TINS Director of Business Development Alwin Albar revealed, the ausmelt project owned by TINS is the fifth project in the world to use ausmelt technology. Alwin revealed, the existence of this project was needed to overcome the exploration challenges currently being faced by TINS. According to him, so far the mining process that has been carried out is still an alluvial mine where the processing process can be carried out with the company's smelting furnace.However, since the end of 2022, TINS has begun to find many primary mines in the form of rocks that require a different smelting process. "Today, 23% of our resources are in the form of rock at 900 thousand tons, almost 1 million tons," said Alwin at TINS Gallery, Monday (27/2). Alwin revealed, with the need for exploration in this primary mine, the presence of the Ausmelt project was urgently needed. Just so you know, the project with an investment value equivalent to IDR 1.2 trillion has a capacity of 40 thousand tons. The presence of this project is even claimed to create processing cost efficiencies of up to 25%. Director of Operations TINS Purwoko explained, the presence of the Ausmel project encouraged the company to increase production in stages to meet existing capacity requirements."In the Company's Long Term Plan (RJPP) approximately in the next three years it should reach 40 thousand tonnes," explained Purwoko on the same occasion. Purwoko continued, this year's tin ore production is targeted to increase by 35% or around 26 thousand tons. Later, for the first year stages, the utilization of the Ausmelt project is targeted at 55% then in the second year it reaches 65% and increases again in the third year. "We still have three years to pursue it," said Purwoko. Kontan noted, the construction of the TSL Ausmelt Furnace is Timah's strategy to respond to the challenges currently faced by the tin mining industry, particularly in maximizing low tin grade concentrates. With the TSL Ausmelt Furnace, it is expected to be able to process low grade tin ore concentrate starting from 40% Sn, with a production capacity of 40,000 tons of crude tin per year or 35,000 metric tons of ingots per year. Not only that, the TSL Ausmelt Furnace is claimed to be more environmentally friendly because it is equipped with a Hygienist System and Waste Water Treatment.Source: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/timah-tins-optimalisasi-proyek-ausmelt-dalam-tiga-tahun

The PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) smelter project in Manyar, Gresik has now reached 54.5%. This achievement was higher than the target of 52.9% that had been approved by the government. PTFI President Director Tony Wenas revealed, according to plan, PTFI will complete the construction of the copper smelter with this single-line design at the end of December 2023 and start its operational activities at the end of May 2024 until it reaches full operation at the end of December 2024."The progress of the Manyar smelter construction is inseparable from the support of all our stakeholders, including the Indonesian Parliament as a strategic partner who always provides input and oversight of the progress of the Manyar smelter construction," said Tony in a press release, Sunday (26/2). Tony continued, the construction of the smelter is expected to provide optimal benefits for East Java. Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the Republic of Indonesia DPR, Sarmuji, revealed that this smelter project is believed to be completed on time, even though there was a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic."The existence of a smelter will attract new investors, especially in the downstream sector which utilizes copper cathodes, which supports the progress of Gresik and East Java getting stronger," said Sarmuji. Tony explained, in the construction of the Manyar smelter, PTFI has prioritized recruiting local East Java workers, especially the people of Gresik. In addition, PTFI also prioritizes the utilization of regional potentials to meet various operational needs for smelter construction, including consumption, transportation, and employee uniforms, to office supply. Furthermore, PTFI has invested up to US$ 1.78 billion or the equivalent of Rp. 27 trillion out of a total of US$ 3 billion or the equivalent of Rp. 45 trillion.Source: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/proyek-smelter-freeport-mencapai-545-penyelesaian

Corrected since the beginning of the year, nickel prices are predicted to rise again. The driver for nickel prices will come from the Philippines, which has hinted at imposing an export tax on nickel. ICDX Research & Development Girta Yoga said that the positive trend in the nickel commodity will be driven by the planned export tax on raw nickel exports by the Philippines at the end of last January. In fact, the world's second largest nickel producer has the potential to completely ban exports as has been done by Indonesia. "This news has sparked concerns that it will also tighten nickel supplies on the global market," Girta told Kontan.co.id, Friday (24/2).Girta said that the nickel ore export ban imposed by the Indonesian government since the beginning of 2020 has proven successful in boosting the trend of global nickel prices to become bullish. As with other commodities, nickel price movements cannot be separated from market laws, namely supply and demand. "Disturbances in the balance of one side will also have an impact on nickel price movements," he continued.The potential for an increase in nickel prices is still considered quite large, but of course it must also be supported by positive catalysts such as the Philippines realizing plans to impose an export tax or completely banning exports of raw nickel. Also, China's economic recovery is running as expected. According to Girta, the signal for the reopening of the Chinese economy is a positive catalyst on the nickel demand side. This is because China's position as the first largest nickel importing country in the world can absorb the availability of nickel.He projects that nickel prices in the first semester of 2023 will potentially meet a resistance level in the price range of US$ 30,000 per ton – US$ 32,000 per ton. If negative catalysts are found, the price of nickel has the potential to meet a support level in the price range of US$ 23,000 per ton - US$ 21,000 per ton.Source: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/harga-nikel-bisa-naik-lagi-karena-filipina-akan-terapkan-pajak-ekspor-nikel

PT Golden Energy Mines Tbk (GEMS) is not concerned about the potential weakening of coal commodity prices. GEMS Corporate Secretary, Sudin Sudiman confirmed, GEMS is still sticking to the production target that has been announced by the company. Meanwhile, an evaluation of the new target revision options will be carried out in the second half of the year. "Because prices cannot be controlled due to market mechanisms, management is more focused on production and sales targets," said Sudin to Kontan.co.id Monday (27/2). On a consolidated basis, GEMS has obtained approval from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to produce 40.3 million tons of coal based on the Work Plan and Budget (RKAB). In detail, the consolidated production plan comes from the production plan for Borneo Indobara (BIB) 36 million tons, Bara Sentosa Lestari (BSL) 2 million tons, and PT Kuansing Inti Makmur (KIM) 2.3 million tons. Later, the production results will still target the company's existing market target. "The target market remains China, India and Asean," said Sudin.Source: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/golden-energy-mines-gems-fokus-jaga-kinerja-di-tengah-harga-batubara-yang-melandai

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) said that as much as 80% of the Work Plans and Budgets (RKAB) of mineral and coal mining companies were rejected or returned due to a lack of administrative requirements and non-tax state revenue obligations (PNBP) had not been paid. Special Staff of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources for the Acceleration of Mineral and Coal Management, Irwandy Arif said, many complaints have come regarding the management of minerals and coal (minerba) which is considered not good. However, of the thousands of applications that have been submitted to Minerba, as many as 80% have been rejected or returned."The reason for being rejected or returned is because the requirements given to Minerba were incomplete so if they were returned the process would start again from scratch, that's what took a long time. There is even one permit that takes up to 6 months to process,” he explained in Bogor, Saturday (25/2). In fact, if a company submits an RKAB that meets the technical and administrative requirements, the document will be received and completed according to schedule. As a result of this problem, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources ordered the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal to immediately summon the management of the company concerned to explain in detail what administrative deficiencies the RKAB had submitted."The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources ordered us if necessary to summon the companies to explain what the deficiencies are, but don't use a consultant so they will come back and forth again. Go straight to the management and complete the administrative, don't just enter 4, just enter 2," he explained. In addition to the incomplete administrative requirements, often, these companies have not paid off their PNBP obligations so they cannot get RKAB approval from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Irwandy emphasized that currently his party has started to clean up mineral and coal governance. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources also organizes counseling for business actors regarding how to complete the RKAB administrative requirements.Previously, the Director General (Dirjen) of Mineral and Coal, Ridwan Djamaluddin said, the Directorate General of Minerba's system had been attacked by hackers resulting in the approval of the 2023 Work Plan and Budget (RKAB) experiencing problems. Ridwan said the hacker attack occurred in December 2022 for 10 days and made the system not function. Then this attack continued in early January 2023 for a week, then again occurred in the third week of January and even today. "There are technical problems in our system, so some of it is done manually," he explained in a hearing with Commission VII DPR RI, Wednesday (1/2).Ridwan explained that several obstacles or reasons why the RKAB were not approved were often administrative problems. For example, the data on company management is not the same as that in Minerba One Data Indonesia (MODI) and that submitted in the RKAB. Then, the issue of environmental permits, resource data that is not verified by a competent person is currently a requirement, the production plan does not comply with the expiration date, and the completeness of supporting documents. "In principle, we apply the spirit to help companies that are constrained, we guide them to solve them," said Ridwan. In this way both parties can benefit. Companies can carry out their activities and the state gets a portion.Source: https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/80-rkab-perusahaan-minerba-ditolak-dan-dikembalikan-ini-penyebab-utamanya

PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) or Antam is targeting to secure bauxite sales growth in 2023 of up to 27% despite the export restriction policy.In order to secure this growth, ANTM will focus on the growth of bauxite ore sales in the domestic market. Meanwhile, production-wise, the company aims to secure approximately 21% increase in bauxite ore production.For the record, ANTM booked production of bauxite ores of 1.65 million wet metric ton (WMT) in 2022. The total volume of sold bauxite ores in 2022 also reached 1.24 million WMT.Based on IDNFinancials record, Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, had announced the prohibition of bauxite ores export. This policy will start to take effect in June 2023. Widodo said that this restriction policy is enacted to drive the domestic bauxite manufacturing and refining industry.Along with this plan, ANTM has also built a Smelter-Grade Alumina Refinery (SGAR) in Mempawah, West Kaimantan. This refinery is established by Antam with PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero) or Inalum with a refinery capacity of 1 million tons of SGAR per year. (KR/ZH)Source: https://www.idnfinancials.com/news/46118/eyeing-bauxite-sales-growth-antam-focus-domestic

 PT Bayan Resources Tbk (BYAN) terminates mining activities in Long Bangun District, West Kutai, East Kalimantan, over an area of 5,000 hectares (Ha). The mining area is handled by PT Mahakam Bara Energi (MBE) and PT Mahakam Energi Lestari (MEL), subsidiaries of BYAN.In the information disclosure quoted Thursday (23/2), Jenny Quantero, Director of Bayan Resources, claimed that based on the Report of Mineral Resources and Coal Reserves of Open-Cut Mining Area dated April 1, 2022, the coal reserves of MBE and MEL are down to nil. “MBE and MEL will not resume its mining activities in their work areas,” she confirmed.The termination of mining activities will not be entailed with a lawsuit regarding the mining termination decision issued by East Kalimantan Governor on July 16, 2018.Prior to this, the company had received a copy of East Kalimantan Governor’s decree regarding the termination of Exploration Mining Business License on July 4 and 16, 2018.According to Quantero, the decision letter regarding the mining termination was issued at the time MBE and MEL were under suspension of exploration activities. The suspension decision letter was issued by East Kalimantan Governor on July 1, 2015, and was extended on July 22 and 23, 2020.MBE and MEL then submitted the suspension extension request to East Kalimantan Governor as the suspension came to an end. Furthermore, there was also transfer of power over mineral and coal mine management from regional to central government, as dictated in Act No.3/2020 regarding the Amendment of Law No.4/2009 regarding Mineral and Coal Mining.Source: https://www.idnfinancials.com/news/46102/byan-mining-activities-west-kutai

The Thiess team at the Melak coal mine in Indonesia, celebrated the opening of the new Benggeris workshop with an inauguration ceremony in December. The new workshop is located closer to the Benggeris pit than the original workshop, which allows the team to more effectively support the work in the pit and deliver for the client.The opening ceremony was a significant moment for the Melak project team who joined with everyone who contributed to the construction of the workshop to thank them for their support. “I am so proud of this important milestone for the project,” said Thiess Project Manager, Anhar Manto. “The completion of the new Benggeris Workshop is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. I am grateful for the support we have received and am excited to see what we can achieve with this new facility,” Manto said.Thiess says the team looks forward to continuing to deliver safe operations at Melak with the help of the new facility. Melak is in East Kalimantan and owned by the Bayan Group. The Melak mine is divided into two different mine concessions, Teguh Sinar Abadi and Firman Ketaun Perkasa. Operations commenced in 2007 and have continued since that time with the mine currently producing approximately 3 Mt/y per annum of bituminous quality coal.Overburden removal and coal transportation are contracted to PT Thiess Contractors Indonesia, with the long term contract renewed in December 2022. From the mining location, coal is transported 20-25 km to a barge loading facility owned and operated by the Bayan Group on the Mahakam River.Source: https://im-mining.com/2023/02/22/thiess-celebrates-opening-of-new-benggeris-workshop-at-melak/