The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Industry have agreed to a moratorium on new nickel smelter projects using rotary kiln-electric furnace (RKEF) technology. According to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif, the supply from smelters producing nickel pig iron (NPI) is exceeding demand, making the moratorium crucial to conserve nickel ore resources. "We stop for now, no more new ones. After that, we will direct them to produce other things, considering international demand. The Ministry of Industry has also agreed to no new additions for RKEF," Tasrif added. He emphasised the importance of halting smelters producing low-value-added commodities and focus on producing intermediate products that are not yet available. Currently, Indonesian smelters process bauxite, nickel, iron, and copper. The ministry’s records show purification facilities processing these minerals have produced intermediate products. Yet, facilities for producing mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), sinter, anode slimes, and gypsum are still lacking. The government is pushing to establish these quickly while evaluating nickel-based industries with low added value to halt their development, promoting the energy transition through electric vehicles and renewable energy sources.  (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: Bisnis, August 2024