The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources emphasized that Indonesia has a strategic position in the global battery industry. Special Staff of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources for the Acceleration of Industrial Development in the Energy and Mineral Resources Sector, Agus Tjahajana, assessed that Indonesia has an important role in the world battery industry. This condition, according to him, is evidenced by resources such as nickel up to 143 million tons of aluminum reserves, the 6th largest in the world. "Indonesia has the largest total nickel resources with 143 million tons and total reserves of 49 million tons in 2020. Not only nickel, Indonesia also has the 6th largest aluminum reserves, 5th copper and 6th manganese. ," he said in an official statement, Saturday (11/9/2021).
In addition, the government needs to prepare regulations or policies to support the acceleration of 20 percent of electric vehicles. This effort can be done through various policies, incentives and subsidies, as well as the selection of the right technology. In the Minerba webinar on Friday (10/9/2021), the Director General of Mineral and Coal of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ridwan Djamaluddin, also explained about the abundant resources in the country, including Rare Earth Metals (LTJ). "The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has the authority to formulate LTJ regulations and policies starting from exploration to the realization of the industry.
Furthermore, it is necessary to encourage industries that are able to absorb domestic LTJ and its minerals. It is time for Indonesia to have great attention towards an independent industrial country," he said. According to him, these minerals can become industrial raw materials in the future, for example in the defense, health and energy industries. From a survey conducted by the Geological Agency, there are at least 28 LTJs that have the potential to continue exploration. "There are also critical and strategic minerals, where these minerals are very important, irreplaceable, and will become raw materials for various future industries," he said.
