On August 10, 2026, Indonesia reported that nearly 400,000 tonnes of mineral cargoes, including nickel products, had been cleared for export after resolving the rare earth elements (LTJ) issue. More than 100 vessels have resumed operations. Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman said, “The export obstacles caused by differing interpretations of the LTJ provisions have been resolved, and shipping activities have resumed. It is settled; 100 vessels have resumed operations.” The development follows the August 3 clarification that the LTJ restriction applies to pure LTJ products, while nickel and other mineral products containing LTJ as an associated element can still be exported.
With this progress, SMM believes that the resolution should ease shipment delays and reduce regulatory uncertainty, though LTJ thresholds and verification procedures remain under development.
![[SMM Nickel Midday Review] Nickel prices edged up on August 10, while China's July CPI fell 0.1% MoM.](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/LNpBh20251217171732.jpeg)
