China's bauxite import surges in Feb

[SMM Aluminum Express News] PT Bukit Asam (PTBA) is seeking partners to build a 1.25 GW coal-fired power plant in Mempawah to support Inalum’s 600,000 tpy aluminum smelter. The project, backed by an MoU between PTBA and Inalum, will require ~5.5 million tons of coal annually (180–200 million tons over 30 years). PTBA targets FID by end-2026, with potential project start in 2027. The smelter itself is part of a larger integrated bauxite–alumina–aluminum chain, with US$2.4 billion investment for the smelter and US$890 million for SGAR Phase 2. It will process 3 Mt bauxite into 1 Mt alumina, then into 600 kt aluminum, supplied by Antam mines. Overall, this strengthens Indonesia’s downstream strategy, boosting domestic alumina capacity to 2 Mt/year and bauxite absorption to 6 Mt/year.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] PT PP Presisi (PPRE) secured an IDR 870 billion bauxite mining contract from PT Aneka Tambang (ANTM) in Mempawah, West Kalimantan. The project, executed under a joint operation with PTPP and LMA, covers mining, hauling, and washing plant operations, with first cut starting in early Q2 2026. This contract highlights PPRE’s push to diversify beyond nickel into bauxite, while also reflecting strong SOE collaboration to support Indonesia’s mining sector development.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] PT Inalum has urged the Indonesian government to pause new alumina and aluminum projects due to oversupply risks and pressure on bauxite reserves. Indonesia’s push to build domestic processing has driven rapid investment, similar to nickel, but Inalum warns this could lead to the same issues (oversupply, falling prices, and environmental strain).