Speaking at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta, Hartarto emphasized that rare earths are currently in high demand worldwide and therefore require special attention.
“The Mineral Industry Agency is related to rare earths, which have now become a major concern,” Hartarto said.
He explained that the newly established agency will be responsible for extracting, safeguarding, and developing the industry.
He noted that the end products of rare earth processing include magnets and batteries, which are essential across nearly all industries, including defense.
Regarding the appointment of Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Technology Brian Yuliarto as Head of the Mineral Industry Agency, Hartarto said the decision was made because the agency also serves a research and science function.
“That’s because the agency is closely linked to research and science, especially for rare earths, which require further development,” he explained.
Hartarto dismissed concerns about overlapping duties with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) or the Ministry of Industry, stating that each institution has a clearly defined scope of work.
Earlier this morning, President Prabowo Subianto officially appointed Yuliarto as the agency’s head during a swearing-in ceremony at the State Palace.
Yuliarto’s inauguration also marks the formal establishment of the Mineral Industry Agency, which was previously managed by the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
The downstream processing of mineral resources currently overseen by the agency—including nickel, bauxite, copper, and rare earth elements—is aimed at meeting global demand for clean energy and battery technology.
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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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