Verda Nano Setiawan, CNBC Indonesia
Saturday, 12/08/2023 22:00 WIB
Photo: PT Vale Indonesia Tbk’s nickel smelter operations. (INCO) in Sorowako, East Luwu, South Sulawesi. (CNBC Indonesia/Lucky Leonard Leatemia)
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) asked that there be no more investment for the construction of new nickel processing and refining (smelter) projects. Especially the second class nickel smelters which produce ferronickel (FeNi) and Nickel Pig Iron (NPI).
ESDM Minister Arifin Tasrif said that his party had appealed for no more new investment to enter into the construction of a nickel smelter with Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace (RKEF) technology. Especially those that produce second class nickel processed products in the form of nickel pig iron (NPI) and ferronickel (FeNi).
“It has been advised. Meanwhile, we have been advised not to invest there anymore,” said Arifin when met at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Building, quoted on Saturday (12/8/2023).
Separately, Chairman of the Association of Mining Experts (Perhapi), Rizal Kasli previously said that his party had several times proposed to the government to carry out a moratorium on nickel smelters if no new nickel reserves were found available in Indonesia.
“We have several times suggested a moratorium on the construction of pyrometallurgical smelters because it uses a minimum amount of high-grade nickel ore, saprolite. If this continues, we are worried that the resilience of nickel reserves will be at risk,” Rizal explained to CNBC Indonesia in the ‘Mining Zone’ program, quoted on Saturday (12 /8/2023).
Rizal explained that nickel itself is divided into two types, namely high grade nickel or saprolite which is processed through a pyrometallurgical smelter. The second type is low grade nickel or limonite which is processed through a hydrometallurgical smelter.
Specifically for the saprolite type, Rizal explained that the life of reserves in Indonesia is only seven years at most. That is if all nickel smelters in Indonesia operate, both existing and new ones.
“We think that if all the smelters, especially the pyrometallurgical ones, are completed, the current reserves will last around 5-7 years, because the total need for nickel is 460 million tons if all the smelters are built,” he explained.
Meanwhile, for low grade nickel or limonite, Rizal said that with the current reserves it could last up to 33 years into the future.
“For limonite, the data is below 1.5% grade, for when all hydrometallurgical refineries or smelters are completed, they will last around 33 years or so,” he stated.
Watch the video below:
RI’s Nickel Reserves are Dying, 7 Years Left
(luc/luc)
2023-08-12 15:00:00
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