Mineral resources such as nickel will see a high demand amid the energy transition trend and high-technology products’ development.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - With President Joko Widodo at the helm, the government will continue to support the nickel downstreaming policy, Minister of National Development Planning and head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Suharso Monoarfa, has said.

In a post published on his Instagram account on Monday, the minister highlighted that the nickel downstreaming policy is bolstering national economic and industrial growth.

"The nickel downstreaming policy has recorded several achievements. First, (it has contributed to) significant investment growth in the processing industry, particularly in the nickel industry," Monoarfa expounded.

The policy is also bolstering the growth of mineral-based industrial zones outside Java Island and benefiting the regional and national economy, he noted.

According to Monoarfa, the nickel downstreaming process would strengthen the lithium battery industry amid progresses in the development of electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and new electronic appliances.

The increase in demand for nickel is also in keeping with the growth of the commodity's consumption for low-carbon technologies, the minister added.

"The increase of lithium battery (use) in various sectors is projected to bolster the need for nickel to 1.3 million tons by 2040," he said.

North Maluku is hosting 26 smelter companies and the processing industry in the province has absorbed 16.8 million domestic and 3.4 million foreign workers, the minister pointed out.

The basic metal processing industry sub-sector, such as ferronickel and its derivatives, contributed 55.08 percent to the economy of Central Halmahera district in the province in 2021 and showed 444 percent growth, he noted.

"Mineral resources such as nickel will see a high demand amid the energy transition trend and high-technology products’ development. Nickel is among the most-demanded metal materials in the world for the future technology development for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technology," Monoarfa added.

Related news: Raw nickel export ban to be beneficial to public: President Jokowi
Related news: Nickel smelter industry to create new job opportunities: Minister
Related news: President entrusts banking world with overseeing downstream policies

Translator: M Baqir Idrus A, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2023