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Indonesia nickel reserves enough for additional expansions, authorities says

Indonesia's nickel reserves suffice to support processing markets for the coming years, a financial investment ministry authorities stated on Wednesday, amidst calls of restricting construction of brand-new smelters due to a. international excess.

Indonesia's top-quality nickel reserves is approximated to last. till 2035, while its low-grade nickel till a minimum of 2069,. Mohammad Faizal, director for downstream strategic investment at. Financial investment Ministry, told a market conference in Jakarta. arranged by consultancy Mysteel.

Indonesia's top-quality 1.7% nickel ore is mainly utilized for. the country's nickel pig iron (NPI) production, a feedstock for. stainless-steel, while lower grade is utilized to make items for. the electrical lorries batteries.

Indonesia prohibited exports of nickel ore in 2020 to encourage. domestic value-addition, which led to massive financial investment. into the production of nickel pig iron (NPI) in addition to into. production of product for electrical automobiles batteries.

These show potential for additional growths in both. stainless-steel and high-pressure leaching acid plant, Faizal. told participants, describing the process of extracting. product for batteries.

The reserves would suffice to assist Indonesia to be amongst. the leading five EV battery producing countries by 2040 and leading two. stainless-steel makers, he stated.

On the sideline of the conference, Faizal added that. smelters can continue to be developed, but to produce different. kinds of products.

Indonesia was blamed for the 45% drop in nickel costs last. year due to oversupply, which is squeezing manufacturers in. Australia and somewhere else.

A senior project official with president-elect Prabowo. Subianto said he had proposed a moratorium for brand-new smelters to. the incoming president, but no choice has actually been made yet.

Last year, Indonesia's nickel miners association APNI warned. that the nation's high-grade ore reserves might be diminished in. around 6 years.

(source: Reuters)