Indonesia nickel ore exports have recovered while investigation continues

Ciyong Zou, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development, delivered opening remarks at the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2026. Mr. Zou noted that with the rapid development of clean energy and digital industries, global demand for critical minerals continues to rise. The role of resource-rich countries in ensuring stable mineral supply has become increasingly vital. Indonesia's transition from raw material extraction to deep processing can serve as a reference for resource-rich countries in the Global South. He noted that Indonesia intends to join forces with partners from all sectors to fully tap the potential of industrial development.

Todotua Pasaribu, Vice Minister of Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry of Indonesia, stated that amid climbing global demand for critical minerals and concentration of resources in specific regions, the strategic significance of this category continues to grow. Leveraging its resource endowment, Indonesia is vigorously advancing the downstream transformation across the entire industry chain, which serves as a core national strategy for boosting the economy and optimizing the supply chain structure. Under the President's policy directives, Indonesia has designated mineral deep processing as a pillar of industrial upgrading. The government has identified 28 categories of strategic minerals across eight major sectors, with estimated potential investment of roughly $618 billion.

Nanan Soekarna, Chairman of the Indonesia Nickel Miners Association (APNI), stated in his remarks that the Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2026 achieved the largest attendance ever, showcasing the global industry's full confidence in Indonesia's mineral industry, cross-border cooperation models, and Indonesia's sustainable mining development strategy. He noted that the core of critical minerals industry development has shifted from mere competition over resources and capacity to sustainable value transformation of natural resources, balancing economic, social, and environmental benefits. Indonesia's commitment to downstream industry chain extension aims to enhance industrial added value and establish an international industry brand and build global market credibility.